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PARKS
THEIR DESIGN, EQUIPMENT
AND USE
LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE
SERIES
By GEORGE BU RN AP
PARKS
THEIR DESIGN, EQUIPMENT AND USE
Frontispiece in color, 160 Illustrations, and i Diagrams
Quarto, Handsomely bound, slip case, $6.00 net
IN PREPARATION
GARDENS
THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
PICTORIAL PLANTING
FOR CITY, SUBURB, AND COUNTRYSIDE
LANDSCAPE ART
ARRANGING THE OUTDOOR WORLD FOR
WAN'S CONVENIENCE AND DELIGHT
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SERIES
PARKS
THEIR DESIGN, EQUIPMENT
AND USE
BY
GEORGE BURNAP, B.S. M.A.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OF
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, WASHINGTON. D. C.
LECTURER IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SPECIAL LECTLTIER, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
RICHARD B. WATROl S
SECRETARY AMERICAN CIVIC ASSOCIATION
WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR, 163 ILLUSTRATIONS
AND 4 DIAGRAMS
PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON
J. B. LIPPIXCOTT COMPANY
1916
COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY GEORGE BURNAP
COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY GEORGE BURNAP
PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS
PHILADELPHIA. U. S. A.
DEDICATED TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY IN ROME,
A\ INSTITUTION SUPPORTED BY PI^BLIC PHILANTHROPY TO AFFORD
TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF GRADUATES IN THE FINE ARTS A PERIOD
FOR ASSIMILATION OF THE GREATNESSES OF THEIR CHOSEN PRO-
FESSION BEFORE BEING THRUST INTO THE CHAOS AND VIOLENCE
OF THE MODERN WORLD. ADMITTED TO THIS INSTITUTION AS AN
AUSTIN FELLOW IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, I LEARNED BY
INTIMATE COMPANIONSHIP WITH CO-STDDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE,
SCULPTURE AND PAINTING THAT ALL ART IS SUBJECTIVELY' THE
SAME, DIFFERING MERELY IN THE FORMS OF EXPRESSION PERTINENT
TO THE NEEDS OF THE PLACE WHEREIN EACH MAN FINDS HIMSELF
361S08
4^
INTRODUCTION
By RICHARD B. WATROUS
Secretart American Civic Association
VERY much asleep is the city that in these days has not been
provided with a park of some kind. Some cities have park
areas thrust upon them by generous donors, most cities achieve them
by purchase or legal process. Some cities race for acreage and pass
the accepted portion of an acre of park for every hundred of popula-
tion, but as a rule such acreage remains but a potential municipal asset,
and if reduced to terms of efficiency, eliminating all but the really
serviceable park areas, the acreage would fall below the desired stand-
ard. Other cities centre their efforts on the rich embellishment of a
single park, which is in danger of becoming more like a wax figure
in a fflass case to be admired by the few than a recreational spot
for the many.
But there are efficient parks, many of them, and the splendid spirit
that in the past has prompted the acquisition of embryonic parks is
now interesting itself more and more in their development to meet
the needs for which such areas were acquired. With the new posses-
sions there is becoming apparent a more painstaking study to find
just the park chord that responds most harmoniously to the delight
and benefit of the greatest number of adults and children. For the
youth there has sprung up the specialised park known as the play-
ground. How far shall the average park serve as a playground ? How
may the playground serve as a park? This is the sort of question that
enlists the thought of those seeking to encourage the setting aside
of areas to be devoted to recreation. Parks serve, primarily, two
functions — one of recreation, the other of decoration. Here again
arises the query, where, if any, is the dividing line between them? There
are countless examples of the purely decorative park that might, with-
"ilf r. Burnap for the past five years has held the position
of architect-in-chief of outdoor Washington, and his
influence is easily discernible in the artistic character
our parks, squares and public grounds are taking''
LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR PUBLIC PARKS
INTRODUCTION
out sacrifice to its original purpose, be added to tlie group of recrea-
tional or service parks, and vice versa. Consider, for instance, the
small triangles, circles or squares, to be found in many localities,
rich in shrubbery and flora, but only to be looked at. Many of them
have stood as barriers to a direct approach to a main thoroughfare or
car line. Many a car has been " just missed " because one had to
make two sides of a triangle or swing around a half circle when there
might be a pretty straight cut through the little park. The new con-
ception of the usableness of parks is to develop these practical aids
to the general satisfaction in parks.
Quoting from an article in the American City on "Intensive Park
Development":
" The plans for the beautification of Washington have attracted
much attention, and the public is quite generally familiar with the
Mall scheme which is to furnish the great vista connection between
the Capitol building, the Washington jMonument and the new Lincoln
jNIemorial now being designed. Simultaneously with this, however,
there is being also worked out a secondary scheme of civic beautification
that is not spectacular in its presentation but holds promise to the
every-day worker and resident in the National Capital as well as the
sight-seer and tourist there.
" George Burnap, landscape architect of public l)uil(lings and
grounds, is making a radical departure from what has been done
heretofore in connection with the many small parks. His idea is to
make them both striking as focal points of the street system and pos-
sessed of personal and livable interest to the many residents of the
immediate neighbourhood. The one-time idea of laying out each park
according to geometrical pattern is giving way to the development of
walk lines of practical use, recognising both traffic requirements and
the desirability of location for numerous park benches. Trees and
shrubs are being planted, not for the value of individual specimens,
but for the purpose of background and setting, as elements of design
F'^^tji
The River Drive in Potomac Park, Washington, as it
appeared before planting. Laid out by George Burnap,
Latidscape Architect
jt .r-ii=iSSEa*v *^ii ^
The River Drive in Potomac Park, Washington, as it
appeared after planting. ''Long rows of soft yellow
lilies, a gold line on the water's edge beneath the ivillows''
GOVERNMENT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT RESPON-
SIBLE FOR CITY'S FLORAL BEAUTY
New York Morning Telegraph
_J
"7f is the intention to build here a park of the formal
type, heavily wooded, with gardens, umlks, colonnades,
fountains, ivaterfalls, etc. The retaining wall on the
Sixteenth Street side is ncne being built. The estimates
for the park improvement aggregate $310,000. The
plans for the park ivere drawn by George Burnap''
MERIDIAN HILL RETAINING WALL
AT WASHINGTON, D. C.
The Engineering Seivs
INTRODUCTION
and composition. These small parks, therefore, are beginning to have
an individuality all their own, and are acquiring a character of design
that will before many years make the Washington park system unique
in this res23ect/'
^Ir. Burnap has not confined his attention to the intensive develop-
ment of the small park spaces alone, for Washington park areas of
all sorts and sizes which have been in existence for many years, con-
forming in location and outline with the original great scheme of the
Ca})itol City, are but now, through his efforts, being appreciated for
their true beauty and value. With a view to discovering the best
things that can and should be done for all parks to increase their
effectiveness both as service parks and as decorative areas, ]Mr. Burnap
has widely travelled in this country and abroad. AVith an open mind
he has caught with his camera, now here and now there, examples of
the best things in many lands.
Such a thorough groundwork of principle and wide experience
have eminently fitted JNIr. Burnap for the writing of this first book of
large scope to be published upon the subject, and he has not only set
forth in the text his vision of park design but has illustrated with photo-
graphs every suggestion he proposes. Thus in his book is spread a
vista that points the way for all zealous devotees of parks to introduce
in their own particular pleasure grounds the very best that has been
achieved elsewhere. His appeal and his direct aid should be particu-
larly useful not only to members of city park })oards by way of sug-
gestion and to custodians of parks by telling them just what to do
and how to carry out the suggestions made by governing boards,
prompted by Mr. Burnap's book and its admirable illustrations, but
also to all landscape architects and those in any way interested in the
beautification and healthfulness of our municipalities. It should be
welcomed by novice and expert alike in the possibilities it presents for
the larger development of those priceless assets that are now so gen-
erally being acquired by American cities. Let there not only be more
parks but better j^arks.
PREFACE
IANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE is vastly more comprehensive
A than is usually realised, as must appear from the scope of the
projected series which ventures upon a more inclusive and complete
exposition of the subject than has heretofore been attempted. In treat-
ing under the general head of Landscape Architecture the subjects of
Landscape Design, Planting Design, Park Design and Garden Design,
it is desired to impress the fact that the respective subjects, which are
being presented as four separate books, are component rather than
related parts of the art that Charles Eliot defined as " The art of
arranging land and landscape for human use, convenience and enjoy-
ment"; and such rules and principles as may be outlined in the
development of any one of the subjects will be found applicable and
equally serviceable in the understanding of the others. There might
even be included — and with propriety — two further volumes devoted
respectively to architectural and civic design, were there not already
able and ample books on these particular subjects, — although the
former has not always been viewed and expounded in its broadest
aspect.
It is with the unanimity of the subject material in mind that no
hesitation is felt in introducing Park Design of the series first, although
the volumes were not prepared nor originally intended to be presented
in that order. The manuscript of the book on Landscape Design has
unfortunately been interned with the author's trunk on the border
between Germany and France, and it is feared may have been con-
fiscated and destroyed by the authorities because of the many drawings
and photographs accompanying it. The loss of a manuscript, however
distressing it may seem to the author, must appear of little consequence
and trivial in light of the great calamities that are following the progress
15
PREFACE
of the woild w ai- to-day ; and the author presumes to make no complaint
of the comparatively insignificant misfortune which has come to him.
The manuscript will l)e prepared anew with the reassuring thought that
such complete recapitulation of the material will afford opportunity of
revision granted few writers, and will imquestionably conduce to the
improvement and strengthening of the text.
TO CITY FATHERS, PARK SUPERINTENDENTS, LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS, AND
TO ALL THOSE WHO ENJOY AND DESIRE PARKS
The present volume on Park Design is addressed primarily and
respectfully to executives having the development of parks in charge.
Such officials are usually business men whose point of view is
naturally so practical as to be one-sided; and by the time they have
acquired a sympathetic knowledge of the subject to the point of ex-
changing a watch-dog attitude for a j)i'ogressive one of city advance-
ment, their term expires and new recruits take their places. This
results in a wasteful dissipation of time and energy on the part of the
landscape architect or park designer directly in charge of the work,
who is constantly forced to go over again and again fundamental prin-
ciples of park design that may be demonstrated with greater economy
of effort by means of some book of general instruction on the subject.
Many of a designer's best projects are hampered and often frustrated
by the difficulty of those in authority, through general unfamiliarity
with the context and with the underlying principles of the subject, to
understand and fully visualize the designs prepared.
Park administrators, through lack of available information and in
company with the great majority of people who are still unappreciative
of the progress that has been made in the art, seem to underestimate
the value of design in park building, if not prone to doubt the existence
or necessity of it at all; and there is required really what would be
comparable in university curriculums to an elementary course of in-
16
PREFACE
stniction to demonstrate that Parh Design is governed hy principles of
composition and not hy personal tchim or caprice of the designer. The
landscape architect finds himself too often obliged to prove that which
should be accepted as axiomatic, and he is so frequently forced into a
defensive position that he eventually becomes hesitant in taking the
initiative, and the park problems are thereby deprived of his best
creative ability. Frequently disastrous personal ideas of municipal
officials are enforced without regard to precedent or precept in park
design ; and it is hoped that this book may establish the fact that there
is a definite law and order to be recognised in the shaping of parks
quite as in otlier forms of art — laws which may not be j^rudently
violated or ignored.
The material presented has been confined so as to focus exactly
on the subject under consideration, with aim to make it clear and
applicable to conditions in both large and small communities. Aca-
demic theorj^ has been avoided except in so far as it has been found by
experience to bear on the solution of daily problems. The author has
purposely refrained from summarising such occasional writings on the
subject as have come to his attention, for in nearly every case they have
been individual and limited in point of view, and usually more narra-
tive than deductive.
The introduction of plans has been considered inadvisable because
appearing in publications at so reduced scale as to discourage examina-
tion. Especially have plans of Washington parks been tabooed, as a
designer is unconsciously prejudiced in favor of the work which he has
prepared; and, being familiar with the special governing conditions
that have influenced the design, he becomes blinded to what will appear
j^alpable defects to the uninitiated critic. In place of the actual plans,
therefore, he has aimed to present the principles which have governed
him in their preparation. There has, however, been no hesitancy in
citing Washington examples, for all means should be availed of to
17
PREFACE
familiarise Americans with the progress being made in their caj)ital
city; and, on the other hand, because examples in Washington are
frequently emulated when it will be seen from the text that Wash-
ington parks furnish an equal number of good and bad examples. It
is hoped, however, that the aid and influence of the National Com-
mission of Fine Arts, the members of which are giving their individual
time to the service of the Government without compensation and fre-
quently at great personal inconvenience and sacrifice, will before many
years bring the civic beauty of Washington to a jDreeminence that may
be safely emulated in whole or in part.
For the guidance of town and city officials entrusted with the
development and maintenance of parks; for the assistance of land-
scape architects and superintendents in the designing of parks; and
for the enlightenment of the public in whose interest all parks are
created and whose active support is indispensable to the successful
realisation of park projects, this volume is respectfully submitted.
George Burnap
Washington, D. C,
June 1, 1916
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. Park Design in City Planning 25
II. Bringing up a Park the Way it .Should Go 42
III. Principles of Park Design 56
IV. " Passing-through " Parks 78
V. Neighbourhood Parks 98
VI. Recreation Parks 116
VII. Playgrounds in Parks 150
VIII. Effigies and Monuments in Parks 170
IX. Architecture in Parks 186
X. Decorative Use of Water 206
XI. Planting Design of Parks 222
XII. Park Administration in Relation to Planting Design 238
XIII. Seats in Public Parks 252
XIV. Disposition of Flowers in Parks 278
XV. Park Utilities 296
Appendix 315
Index 321
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Small Park, Washington 8
River Drive in Potomac Park, Washington 10
River Drive in Potomac Park, Washington 11
Meridian Hill Retaining Wall, Washington, 12
Public Garden. Naples 26
Public Garden, Naples 27
Hemingway Park, Jacksonville 29
Maximilian Promenadeplatz, Munich 31
Meridian Hill Park, Washington 33
PlAZZALE MiCHELANGIOLO, FLORENCE 35
Cathedral Square, Lima, Peru 37
A Public Square in Milan, Italy 39
Mt. Pleasant Triangle, Washington 41
Folkgarten, Vienna 43
DiGNAN Park, Jacksonville 45
Webster Triangle, Washington 47
Specious Design, Washington 49
Piazza Dante, Rome 51
Margit Park, Budapest 53
A Tale of Two Cities 55
The New Garden, Torquay, England 57
Karlsplatz, Vienna 59
Logan Park, Washington 60
Logan Park, Washington 61
City Hall Park, Savannah 63
Park in Jacksonville, Florida 65
Park Vittorio Emanuele, Rome 67
Lincoln Park, Washington 6&
Lincoln Park, Washington 69
Montrose Park, Georgetown 71
Washington Circle, Washington 72
Washington Circle, Washington 73
Piazza Carlo Felice, Torino 75
Public Gardens, Nimes, France 77
Military Park, Newark, New Jersey 79
Military Park, Newark, New Jersey 81
Madison Square, Savannah 83
Koniglicher Zwinger, Dresden 85
DupoNT Circle, Washington 87
Margit Park, Budapest 89
Military Park, Newark, New Jersey 91
Witherspoon and Webster Triangles, Washington 93
Thomas Circle, Washington 94
Karolinenpl.\tz, Munich 95
21
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Small Trlvngle, Washixgtox 9'''
Montrose Park, Georgetown 99
Netje Pinakothek Grounds, Munich 100
Xeue Pinakothek Grounds, Munich 1*^1
Military Park, Newark, N. J 103
A Perverted Display Park, San Diego 10-^
Battery Park, Charleston, S. C : 107
Eszterhazy Park, Vienna 109
Hloomsbuky Square, London HI
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, London 113
Undeveloped Area, Akron, Ohio 115
Gordon Park, Cleveiand 117
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia 119
Cascine Park, Florence 121
Public Park, Dresden 123
Perkins Park, Akron, Ohio 1^^5
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia 127
Geyser in Yellowstone Park 128
Shoshone Reservation, Wyoming 129
El Promexado, Lima, Peru 131
Grant Park, Atlanta, Georgia 133
Zoological Garden, Leipsic 1^5
Cascine Park, Florence 137
Hippodrome, Borghese Garden, Rome ^ 39
Cascine Park, Florence 1"*!
Margit Park, Budapest 143
Hyde Park. London 1^5
Semi-Public Park, Jacksonville 147
Park at Schonbrunn, Vienna 149
Kinderpark, Vienna 151
Humboldt Wood, Berlin 153
Sportplatz, Dresden 155
Public Garden, Milan 157
Garfield Park Playground, Washington 159
Willow Tree Alley Pl.4.yground, Washington 161
Friedrich Wood, Berlin 163
hofgarten, dusseldorf 165
Pallone Court, Lizzi Park, Siena 167
Virginia Avenue Park, Washington 169
Cascine Park, Florence 1''^!
Piazza Independenzia, Florence 1 ^"^
The Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain, Washington l''^5
Sportplatz, Dresden 1''"'^
Children's Memorl\l Garden, Berlin l''^9
Folkgarten, Vienna 1^1
Joan D'Arc, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia 183
Old Spanish Monument, St. Augustine 183
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia 185
The Chalet, Public Gardens, Rome 187
Public Park, Budapest 189
22
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Old Slave Market, St. Augustine, Florida 191
The Refectory, Humboldt Park, Chicago ; 193
Bath House at Belle Isle, Detroit 195
Workmen's Quarters, Public Park, Milan 197
BoBOLi Gardens, Florence 199
Carroll Park, Baltimore 201
Greenhouse on Private Estate 203
The Terrace, Central Park, New York 205
Friedrichshain, Berlin 207
Washington Park, Albany 209
Hofgarten, Munich 209
South-Lawn Fountain, The White House 21 1
Park Monceau, Paris 213
Public Garden, Milan 215
Stadtpark, Vienna 217
Park Founts in Berlin and Torino 219
Villa D'este, Italy 221
Foliage Composition, Washington 223
Montrose Park, Georgetown 225
Friedrichshain, Berlin 227
Gordon Park, Clevei^nd 229
Tiergarten, Berlin 231
Public Park, Parm.\, Italy 233
Maria Josepha Park, Vienna 235
Park on Rocher Des Doms, Avignon, France 237
Potomac Park, Washington 239
Debased Planting, Washington 245
Mutilated Planting, Washington 247
Vitiated Composition, Washington 249
Montrose Park, Georgetown 251
Humboldt Park, Berlin 253
Lizzi Park, Siena 255
Hofgarten, Vienna 256
Public Park, Munich 257
Public Park, Budapest 259
University Pl.\tz, Munich 260
Public Park, Zurich 261
Borghese Gardens, Rome 263
Cascine Park, Florence 264
Piazza Independenzia, Florence ■ 265
Public Garden, Geneva 267
Public Garden, Genoa 268
Small Triangle, Munich 269
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Rome 271
Unter den Linden, Berlin 273
FoRTEzzA Park, Florence : 275
Burgerwiese Park, Dresden 277
Maximilian Park, Munich 279
Villa Bellini, Catania, Italy 281
Fkiedrich Karl Platz, Berlin 283
23
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Riverside Park, Jacksonville 285
TlEHGARTEX, HeRLIN ^S'^
LuisENPU\TZ, Berlin *88
Triangular Park, Washington 289
Farragut Park, Washington -^ 291
Treptower Park, Berlin 293
Poppies in Public Park, Bologna, Italy 295
Latteria, Public Garden, Milan 297
Milch Haus, Buergerwiese Park, Dresden 297
Public Garden, Venice 299
Park (7afe, Budapest -^01
Frieurichs Ring, Dresden 303
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Rome 305
Lincoln Park, Washington 307
Logan Park, Washington 309
KoENiG Albert Park, Leipsic 311
Potomac Park, Washington 311
The Varosliget, Budapest 313
Military Park, Newark 313
DIAGRAMS
Park Design 317
"Passing-through" Parks 318
Neighbourhood Parks 319
Recreation Parks 320
PARKS
THEIR DESIGN, EQUIPMENT AND USE
CHAPTER I
PARK DESIGX IX CITY PLAXXIXG
CITY i)lanning represents a scientific forward movement in the
(leveloj^ment of American cities. It stands for guided and
directed development ratlier than haphazard growth; it stands for
intelligent progress. In tliat sense its value is potentially inestimable.
The advent of city planning within the last few years, however, is
l)eing hailed as a deliverance rather than a revival, acclaimed as the
first rather than the second coming. As a matter of fact, the planning
of cities has been a well-studied and applied science for centuries ; and
even in America casual research reveals traces of the lost art in the
early record and existent lines of many of our cities. In that respect
city planning appears to be a sporadic science ; and the increasing birth-
rate of city planning commissions and j^lanning legislation, all destined
to accomplish a great work in the betterment of American cities, repre-
sents a renaissance and a recoming.
SUCCESS OF A CITY PLAN DEPENDENT UPON ITS PARKS
Park building, on the other hand, is omnipresent. It has l)een the
constant accompaniment of civic gro^^-th and development in our cities
since their incipiency; but quite as the efforts of tlie hardworking and
faithful pastor are outshone by the fervor of the transient revivalist,
years of park radiance are lost sight of in the meteoric transcendence
of the new movement. The unappreciative citizen fails to recognise
that park development has almost always preceded city planning, in-
variably accompanies it, and is ordained in every case to succeed it.
25
Parks may lend a pro or con argiiment to the creed of
city planning. It is unfoHiinate when they express poor
organisation in line and detail
PUBLIC GARDEN, NAPLES
The same view at a later date, indieating how separate
park units ean be given interrelation and eivic tie by
purposeful placing of a supplementary statue
PUBLIC GARDEN, NAPLES
maam
PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING
City planning to-day is the revivalist, park development the resident
pastor.
Many cities are accredited with successful city planning when they
do not deserve it ; many cities are remarked upon as being beautifully
designed when exactly the reverse is true. And why? Because a city
poorly laid out but abounding in beautiful parks will inevitably receive
favourable comment, for the observer judges a city by its parks rather
than by its plan. The converse is equally true ; for unless or until city
parks are well designed and developed, they will discredit the beauty
of the best studied city plan. A civic system, the park units of which
are no-matter-how-well disposed and distributed in relation to the city
plan, will gain but little credit in that respect until the parks in
themselves are a credit.
City planning per se has in one respect an almost negative effect;
the absence of it is forcefully deprecated, but the existence of it is
scarcely noticed except by comparison. It is the lack of good city
planning rather than the presence of it that attracts attention. That
is why the history of many cities is one of redesigning rather than one
of designing. City planning is also often so anticipatory as to bring
discredit in its initial steps. It may be so far-sighted that the purpose
of the first steps in its development will not be self-obvious, and there-
fore will frequently serve as an obstacle in the path of its eventual
accomplishment. An interesting observation in this connection is
found in Lyell's " Travels in the United States," Volume I, page 111,
on the occasion of his second visit to Boston :
" When we liad journeyed eighteen miles into the country I was told we
were in Adams Street, and afterwards, when in a winding hme with trees on
each side, and without a house in sight, that we were in Washington Street,
but nothing could surprise me again after having been told one day in New
Hampshire, when seated on a rock in tlio midst of tlie wild woods, far from any
dwelling, that I was in the exact centre of a town."
28
^gssm^zu:
Parks are ''city heautifuV apostles. Their tents
should be pitched in the midst of every city and toirn
HEMINGWAY PARK, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING
Even the city of Washington, which is usually considered to have
jubilantly followed an admired plan from its very inception, was
described in 1861 by Anthony Trollope as " a mighty maze," and in
Harper's WeeUy, April 10, 18.58, may be read:
" We have liad many walks in the Common wliich they call Pennsylvania
Avenue. Mizra, whose appetite is failing, crosses the Common twice before
breakfast, and finds the exercise an unusual stimulus. Mustapha has tried to
follow his example, but finds the exercise too great ; once across and back again
exhausts him. It is, indeed, a monstrously wide Common; why call it an
Avenue.'' "
"WASHINGTON FROM A MOHAMMEDAN POINT OF VIEW."
BY A VERY OBSCURE MEMBER OF THE TURKISH ADMIRAl's SUITE.
It may be seen from this that a beautiful city plan does not imme-
diately elicit admiration and take place in the affection of the residents.
It is usually not until the parks of the city plan are developed and
begin to display the beauty of the general city arrangement that a city
plan comes into its own.
In view of the importance park design bears to city building, and
in order to put the subject in concrete form for the consideration of
city officials, the following recommendations are submitted :
CITY PLANNING AND PARK BUILDING SHOULD ADVANCE SIMULTANEOUSLY
First, that park development be regarded not as incidental to, but
commensurate with, city planning. Although fundamentally park
design is but a part of city planning and should be subordinate to it,
actual practice shows the two to be mutually dependent. City plan-
ning projects are rarely inaugurated until a certain degree of interest
has been aroused by means of park work. Cities or towns having
acquired a taste for parks, frequently in the desire for additional parks,
find themselves launched on a campaign for city planning — a reason-
able sequence. It is proper, therefore, inasmuch as proposed civic
30
I
Strong cohesion hetween park and street design is es-
sential in a icell-developed city plan. The illustration
.s-huics an architectural reinforcement of an inter-
section point
MAXIMILIAN PROMENADEPLATZ,
MUNICH, GERMANY
PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING
projects are the result of a previously existing appreciation of parks,
that this initial means of instilling interest should be fostered. In a
canij^aign for civic development or civic beautification, a certain gen-
erous per cent, of the fund raised for that purpose should be devoted
to tlie development of already existing and proposed j^arks, with the
intent of making some immediate display as a means of encourage-
ment. A few parks completed, which may be pointed out as the first
result of the city planning campaign, will serve as powerful aid in
soliciting further contributions to the cause. Instead of expending all
available moneys for the staking out of the main lines of the new city
plan, it will often be found to be more prudent, even if somewhat more
expensive in the long run, to devote a portion of the moneys to some
development which may be enjoyed by the present generation; and
the parks are usually one feature which may be conunenced in accord-
ance with the lines of the " big scheme " which will aid and not jeopar-
dise its final accomplishment. A simultaneous advancement of city
planning and park building is recommended.
THE TYPE OF EXPERT SERVICE NEEDED
The second recommendation is that adequate attention be given to
the designing of parks. The reports of civic experts and civic ad-
visers usually are concerned with the very broad aspect of the locating
of parks, and their recommendations are general ones relating to the
acquisition of sites. When the estimable advice of the expert has been
followed and the several potential park tracts have been purchased in
accordance with a mapped-out plan of the future park system, the
city administrators find themselves in a quandary as to the next step,
and often discover that what appeared to be a very comprehensive
report, and even one of much detail, was in reality merely a point
dc depart.
The large number of ably prepared city planning reports enthusi-
32
The parks of a city cannot be left to haphazard design-
ing. The illustration shows the development of one of
the many areas labelled on the Washington city plan
as ^^ Site for future park." Such civic '' details''' require
specialized study
MERIDIAN HILL PARK, WASHINGTON, D. C.
(Designed by the Author)
PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING
astically published l)y various cities within the last few years, and
immediately allowed to fall into the limbo of supposedly impracticable
projects, have brought home to the city planning experts the futility
of too general recommendations; and we find many of them to-day
including quite definitely drawn park plans as a part of their recom-
mendations. Such well-meant effort on the part of others than com-
petent landscape designers is questionable, however; for, although
many civic experts have had sufficient academic training in design to
enable them to prepare park plans after a fashion, those of them who
are not architects would never attempt the comparable task of submit-
ting detailed designs for the buildings about proposed civic centres.
Exactly as the landscape architect, though capable in a general way of
advising civic boards on the design of their city, cannot rate with the
civic expert who by special training and research has fitted himself to
undertake such work, the civic adviser should not expect to undertake
actual park design without training in the subject.
AMBITIOUS ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND NURSERYMEN
Architects, likewise, who may have been successful in general civic
architecture, and have achieved some special distinction in the com-
position of civic groups, frequently set themselves up as city planners.
Cities should hesitate in accepting their advice on problems of park
design except in its architectural aspect. A reputable architect appre-
ciates that his point of view is prone to be disproportionately archi-
tectural, and hesitates to prepare park plans without the association
of a competent landscape designer; and the architect who poses as
cai)able in all lines is usuallj^ a jack of all trades, capable in none. Due
to the unexpectedness with which the demand for civic planning has
come upon America, a temporary lack of specially trained men has
occurred, with the result that candidates from all the allied professions
have aspired to present themselves as qualified for the remodelling of a
34
Infirmity of city plan becomes doubly apparent irhcn
unsupported by intelligent park detail
PIAZZALE MICHELANGIOLO IN FLORENCE, ITALY
PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING
city. And we read in a recent book: " To secure the best results in
city planning, a competent civil engineer should be placed in charge of
the work and be given sufficient time to make a thorough study of the
city and its needs from expert point of view. He should evolve plans
which will meet its requirements and enable it to develop along the
best lines."
In the confusion of the present moment, therefore, when men of
all professions, including occasional nurserymen, are presenting them-
selves as civic experts capable of designing or redesigning entire cities,
the parks which are the forerunners and forecasters of city design are
apt to fall prey to the first man " on the job." It behooves cities,
therefore, to guard against incompetence in this respect, for a park
thus designed is worse than one not designed at all ; a design executed,
no matter how execrable it may be, is rarely changed. The second
recommendation, therefore, is that parks shall be considered as de-
manding attention beyond that accorded them in civic expert reports,
but on the other hand shall be protected against the many incom-
petents desiring the opportunity of " developing " them.
PARKS ARE ORGANIC, NOT ISOLATED, UNITS
The third recommendation is that the designing of parks shall not
be allowed to drift into the hands of whatever gardener, superin-
tendent or forester may be on the staff of the department of public
works. It is too generally thought that gardening knowledge of any
sort fits a man sufficiently for designing a park. A park is not a unit
in itself, and may not be developed independently of civic design;
therefore it must be handled by one of specific training who will under-
stand the relation of park areas to the civic development as a whole.
Gardeners and foresters merely j^lant park areas and decorate them,
giving them no civic function. In that sense the areas are subtracted
from the city as a whole and allotted to the adjoining residences as
36
Mere display of gardening is neither park nor civic
design. Park spaces merely for planting adornment
appear superficial and trivial, without civic function
or m calling
CATHEDRAL SQUARE, LIMA, PERU
PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING
yards. Many park areas are merely elaborated and adorned, express-
ing nothing' in plan. A park area should not be considered an isolated
unit, but in its design should be made to express a firm relation to the
park system as a whole. It is recommended that park plans be
entrusted only to men familiar with laws and principles of park and
civic design.
ORNAMENTATION SHOULD NEVER PRECEDE CONSTRUCTION
The fourth recommendation is that after special park designs have
been prepared and approved, they shall be as rigidly adhered to in the
main lines as may be the accepted design of city layout. These plans
should be placed on file, and as fast as appropriations become avail-
able for park improvement, should be worked out in almost automatic
fashion. By such means artistic enrichment, which more often signifies
senseless bedecking, will be impossible, at least until the general design
has been accomplished. Until a park plan has been firmly laid out
and " nailed on the ground," as they say, all attempts at decoration
should be discouraged. In other words, ornamentation should follow
construction, and the initial expenditure should always be devoted to
accomplishing the park framework. There have been many cases in
the past where parks have been elaborated by planting even before a
definite walk system or other design had been prepared, with the usual
result from getting the cart before the horse.
BUILDING OPERATIONS AFFECTED BY PARK PLANS
The fifth recommendation is that accepted park plans be con-
sidered public property, open to the perusal of all or any that may be
interested. Intelligently prepared park design, assured of exact
execution independently of political shift, will influence the character
of building operations encircling each park and in a measure lead the
development along lines prescribed by the civic designer in his selection
38
Park treatment should reveal and support the architect
ural lines of a civic scene uyithout disturhing or subvert
ing the architectural plan
A PUBLIC SQUARE IN MILAN, ITALY
PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING
and recoinnieiidation of the respective park areas. Furthermore, if
city phmning is to he practical, the development of its parks must
prove profitahle ; and the parks will not confer direct pecuniary benefits
on a city unless sufficiently assured of development that the citizens
can place reliance on the character each park will ultimately have, to
the extent of launching building operations in accordance with and to
some extent in advance of its actual improvement.
SPECIAL FAVOURITISM VERSUS LOGICAL ALLOTMENT
The sixth and final recommendation is that an impartial system
of park expenditure be adopted. Projected park development will
serve as stimulus for civic growth only when the citizens have con-
fidence in its eventual execution. The too prevalent condition of park
development being dependent upon political pull must go; sectional
favouritism must give way to logical allotment, and expenditures must
be in accordance with park requirements rather than according to the
dictates of those in power. The public mind, in turn, must be made to
understand that evenly distributed expenditure throughout all sections
of a city may represent the most illogical of all methods of park
development; that a park system is the possession of the city as a
whole, each section benefiting in proportion to its civic participancy.
An honest policy of park development, with civic betterment for its
goal, must govern its appropriations and expenditures in accordance
with carefully prepared estimates based upon accepted and published
park plans, all component and contributing to the execution of a
consistent city plan.
This thicldy populated section of the Capitol City was
apparently unthout ''influence,'" for its one tiny park
area had to be procured by private subscription
:\IT. PLEASANT TRIANGLE, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)
CHAPTER II
imiXGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO
BRINGING up a park in the way it should go more frequently
' means bringing up people the way they should go. Citizens are
very apt to be heard from, frequently and vehemently, if in their
opinion their section of the city is not proportionately provided with
park areas or developed according to their ideas. Yet, frequently the
reason why park development is delayed in certain neighbourhoods is
because of the difficulty in maintaining parks where not sufficient
appreciation is felt, after the parks have been executed, to prevent
constant depredation.
It is surprising how little protective interest is felt by the ordinary
citizen toward a park. He considers any restriction, necessary though
it may be for the very preservation of the park, as personal affront;
his dog should be permitted to race across flower beds without restraint
because it is his dog; he should be entitled to pick a bloom from such
flowering shrub as appeals to his casual fancy though the same privilege
extended to others would strip the entire park bloom in twenty-four
hours ; he should be allowed to crumple up papers and toss them away
irrespective of the fact that just such action on the part of his fellow
citizens would result in a constantly littered appearance of the parks
throughout the city. The average citizen does not want to be re-
strained in any way in his use of the park, and especially resents
criticism or reprimand; and he will retaliate in ways unbelievable if
his will is crossed in this respect.
CARELESS CRITICISM IS DISHEARTENIXG
If those whose duty it is to develop and maintain parks could be
rewarded with a word of commendation to the ten of criticism which
they receive, they would approach the problem of the day with new
42
This is not bringing up a park the way it should go
FOLKGARTEN, VIENNA
BRIN(,ING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO
ardour. Park designers and park superintendents, fortunately for
themselves, after a time become impervious to comment, critical or
otherwise, realising that it is impossible to please everybody, and that
if a man has too many masters he has none. It will be found, however,
that park designers are only too glad to confer with citizens who have
the development of park beauty really at heart; and public suggestions
might have a good deal of value could tliey be plu-ased in a way dis-
tinguishing them from the mass of destructive and complaining
criticism which comes to designers.
Two Washington ladies, en tour of inspection of some new land-
scape work in the park facing their residences, were overheard to
remark, one to the other, regarding several panels of iris plants in
choice variety, " It's only old flag, that's all they would give us in this
neighbourhood." With such a spirit of suspicion and lack of apprecia-
tion pervading that neiglibourhood, it is not to be wondered at that
much of tlie planting remarked upon was soon trampled out by heedless
children, possibly belonging to the families of tliese very women. The
planting grew in the estimation of the neighbom'hood, however, for as
time went on, the best of the plants which had escaped the feet of the
children disappeared one by one, apparently lifted with considerable
care for transplanting in back-yard gardens.
After innumerable experiences of tliis kind tlie park designer be-
comes convinced that the first step in park improvement should be the
offering of public lectures on the general subject of park design. Only
by the " bringing up " of the residents, and by the enlistment of their
active cooperation in the development of parks, will the best sort of
work be accomplished. As proof of this it has been found that in
neighbourhoods where parks have been purchased by public subscrip-
tion, such parks are never difficult of maintenance. Letters of appre-
ciation are received after any new improvement is made, and the
proprietary interest of the residents is so deep-felt as to cause them to
44
It is surprising Jww little protective interest is felt by
the average citizen toward a park
DIGNAN PARK, JACKSONVILLE
BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO
refer to " our " park — in one sense narrowing the scope of their civic
interest but furnishing an example of helpfuhiess that results in ideal
park conditions in that particular neighbourhood. Parks which are
actually owned by the adjoining property owners, such as once was
Granimercy Park in New York City, and so many of the parks of
London, are never subjected to damage and despoliation.
INTELLIGENT GUIDANCE
Assured of the cooperation of citizens in the desire to facilitate
instead of to retard park development, the question arises " just what
is meant by the bringing up of parks." Most things need to be
brought up. Topsy " just growed," but she didn't meet Miss Ophelia's
standards, and we were never told what became of Topsy, or what
kind of a future she made out for herself. The biblical adage, " Bring
up a child in the way he should go : and when he is old, he will not depart
from it," holds equally true in the matter of parks. A park develop-
ment, even when started right, cannot be brought to maturity without
constant care and training to conform it to the beau ideal; also leaving
it entirely to the ministration of a gardener is merely attending to its
physical welfare ; there must be intelligence in a park, something more
than bulk.
Similar to the case of bringing up children — -it is the man who has no
children of his own who knows best what to advise and how to censure
in the bringing up of other people's children. There is a striking
analogy in the fact that almost any lay person at first glance can tell
exactly what is the matter with a park and liow it may be remedied.
Controlling conditions that have proved stumbling blocks and insur-
mountable obstacles to the landscape architect are ignored or dis-
counted in a moment. Moreover, the opinions of such on-the-spur-of-
the-moment designers are expressed freely so that all may hear, and
the work of the conscientious designer cast in the limbo of incompetent
46
// a surgical operation is the only way to correct a
park defect^ perform it without hesitation or fear
WEBSTER TRIANGLE. WASHINGTON
(Relocating a Large Specimen)
BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO
efforts. It is hoped that this mere reciting of prevalent con(htions will
reveal the nselessness, if not harnifulness, of such commonly misguided
energy. Park designs are usually developed only after labourious and
patient study, influenced by a great number of practical details which
have to be met; they are prepared with a view to overcoming incon-
veniences which experience has developed, and with a view to provid-
ing for needs which exist or can be reasonably forecast. Park design
is a greater task than one of providing pretty effects throughout the
grounds, and a certain amount of confidence should be put in those
having the matter in charge.
FALSENESS AND DECEIT EVENTUALLY UNCOVERED
The park designer must consider the growth or " growing up " of
a park. In the inception of the original design, he must visualise what
the development will be fifty years later and establish an ideal to which
to work. Frequently there may be seen, in parks, planting which will
appear tasteful and well composed to the artist or to the layman, but
the professional landscape architect identifies it at once as fraudulent.
A planting picture of charming effect, but composed in its minor
elements of infant trees which in fifteen or twenty years will be as
many feet tall, and in its major elements of specimens which have
reached their ultimate development and will deteriorate in five or six
years to a point where they must be removed, is not what an honest
designer calls sincere planting. Unless the planter knows no better,
such design is knavery on his part. It is l)ringing up a park in false-
ness and deceit which will mean a pitiable old age. Planting of this
sort is difficult to detect, but is prevalent to a large extent in both park
and private estate work. It results frequently from the desire of gar-
deners to make the planting look right for the time being, for they will
not subject themselves to the criticism which the landscape architect
stoically accepts in working for the ultimate beauty of a park. The
48
In principle, a single plant specimen may he nsed as a
centre of interest, interchangeable irith an nrn,foinitain,
or flower bed. The planting illustrated, hoivever, is
deceitful, in that the central motif will outgrow its
position and ivreck the composition
SPECIOUS DESIGN, WASHINGTON
BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO
nursery firms — and they cannot be blamed for it in the present state of
keen competition — are bound to plant the parks, if given to them, in
such a way as to bring immediate credit to themselves. In their case
planting work which does not make an immediate showing will not
only cost them future business but may even jeopardise the payments
due them. In bringing up a park to the most desirable development,
there must be a certain amount of moral force and calibre in the de-
signer, with courage to keep the eventual welfare of the park in mind,
even if it means temporary protest and complaint.
The tolerance of the public must also be craved during certain
periods of the park's growth. Children have awkward ages when they
seem all hands and feet and of queer proportions; parks have to go
through this same growing age. It is not imperative that a park shall
have a finished appearance ; in fact, it may have more value, provided
that it is at all times reasonably sightly, if it suggests the promise of
great beauty in the future instead of the realisation of mediocre beauty
in the present. An enforced demand for temporary display will do
more to retard the accomplishment of the best development of the park
than any other cause.
CONTINUITY OF PURPOSE ESSENTIAL
There should be a continuity of purpose in the method of maintain-
ing and gradually improving park grounds, both to achieve the greatest
beauty and convenience of the park in its completed stage and to
accomplish economy of expenditure in its progressive stages of devel-
opment. Quoting from the published report of the National Com-
mission of Fine Arts for 1914, in a communication addressed to the
Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, we read :
" It is peculiarly true in regard to expenditures for the maintenance of
grounds and for minor improvements therein from year to year that the full
results are not to be obtained until after the lapse of many years. This is
50
i^i^^bj?^^
Parks of any country ichile in the juvenile stage must
be viewed with tolerance. Xew planting in Italian
parks always appears thin and unsightly, each tree and
shrub staked to poles to secure upright growth
PIAZZA DANTE, ROME
BRINGING UP A PARK THE ^YAY IT SHOULD GO
notably the case where the plantin<;- and growth of trees or other vegetation is
involved, but it is no less true in many otlier cases. Not only is the full effect
of such expenditures slow in arriving but often the first visible results do not
even suggest the nature of the final results to which they are intended to con-
tribute. An isolated piece of grading done in expectation of some other change
which is not yet practicable may seem meaningless and even highly objection-
able to one who does not understand the whole purpose behind it. As a rule a
high degree of beauty and convenience can be developed in the grounds of a
great institution only by cumulative effect of long continued intelligent annual
maintenance work and innumerable minor improvements made from year to year
as circumstances permit, often in a fragmentary way ; and where the direction
of such work frequently changes hands there is naturally a great deal of waste
through repeatedly starting on lines of development which are abandoned in
favour of other ideas before they have really progressed far enough to show
their real advantage. A tolerable plan consistently followed will give far better
results for less money than a rapid succession of contradictory plans, even
though every one of the latter be a work of genius."
ADVICE TO PARK PARENTS
For the bringing up of parks in accordance with the foregoing con-
ditions, three recommendations are made: First, that a definite and
explicit plan be prepared under the direction of a competent designer
for each and every park of a park system, which plan, if approved,
shall be formally adopted in its entirety, and be included in the next
published report of the town or city; or, if considered advisable, be
made the subject of a special report to be sent to all residents in the
neighbourhoods affected ; that such plan be rigidh-^ adhered to, and no
deviation in detail be permitted as jeopardising elements of design in
the future development beyond that expressed in the drawings.
Second : That the main lines of each park be laid out on the ground
immediatel}'- and established in such a way as to make a definite design
apparent to the observer, thereby both committing the community to a
52
The Hungarian parks grow up in physical ichole-
someness because in the care of women who keep them
swept, weeded and cleaned, as immaculate as their
children
MARGIT PARK, BUDAPEST
BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO
consistent comprehensive scheme in the development, and arousing
interest and support toward its eventual accomplishment.
Third: That whenever possible the designer originally employed
to prepare park plans shall be retained in a consulting caj^acity even
though for but a small proportion of time per annum, to assist the park
superintendent or other executive in charge to understand the motive
of the design, advising and helping him in its execution, and passing
upon any change in the general plan which new conditions may re-
quii-e, thus preventing whimsical changes by those in authority, which
might sacrifice work already accomplished and jeoj^ardise the attain-
ment of the final harmonious and aesthetic effect anticipated in the
design and for which preliminary steps may already have been taken.
A park is the citj^'s child, needing to be nourished, trained and
educated exactly like a human being; and, in far greater degree than
many a child, may be depended upon to show thanks and gratitude for
whatever attention may be lavished upon it. It is civic suicide to forego
the raising of parks, however nuich trouble they may be in their infancy
and during the growing age. A park successfully brought to the full
of its powers becomes a city's pride and joy, it establishes a precedent
of beauty, many gardens follow and property values increase. A park
properly brought up is a town or city asset, never an extravagance ; a
help and support against misfortune, a rejuvenation and pleasure on
the approach of old age.
Which of these city parks is being brought up with
the more cart? Which holds the greater promise?
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
CHAPTER III
PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN
PRINCIPLES are always considered obnoxious, whether they be
scientific, religious, or individual. There is something autocratic
and sacerdotal about them. The knowledge of them seems bound to
deter one from acting as lie would wisli, from doing the things he would
like to do. Principles suggest laws which must be rigidly adhered to
and disobeyed at one's peril. It is liard to work up enthusiasm over
the study of principles.
Close application to principles is not only irksome, but frequently
reactive to the point of tempting one to " take the dare "and disregard
all rules and precepts just to see what will liappen. In one or two
intrepid instances, however, where the writer has done this, he has
found himself formulating new rules which paradoxically proved to
be, if not exactly the same, at least very similar to the ones he desired
to evade. In short, principles are aids resulting from experience, and
not mandates or dogmas. Principles represent pioneer knowledge
which has been set down for the guidance of those who follow.
DOCTRINES, NOT DOGMAS
The principles of park design herewith outlined are not conclusive
rules ; neither are they to be considered in the nature of precise informa-
tion that will lead to inevitable success in park building. They are
merely an assortment of well-tried recipes which the writer has col-
lected and formulated, and found valuable in application to his own
})roblems. Examples of successful park design are extremely difficult
to copy or emulate from mere surface examination, and it is only by
analysing the result, in relation to tlie essential factors which wrought
its shaping and contributed to its success, that similar work may be
Note — See diagram in Appendix.
56
Principles of park design cannot be outraged or ignored
with immunity
THE NEW GARDEN, TORQUAY ENGLAND
PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN
accomplished. It will then he found that the analysis has revealed
not only rules and principles that governed the particular work under
observation but that there has been produced a general set of formulas
that w^ill serve in testing unsuccessful j^arks, and be a basis for the
synthetic development of new parks.
BEAUTY AXD UTILITY
Principles underlying the development of parks are based on the
two elements of all art: beauty and utility. A park is always con-
sidered as an embellishment of a city plan. The first park acquired
by a city is rarely considered an essential but rather a thing of display,
a mark of civilisation and culture. Therefore, since its first recognised
duty is that of radiating beauty, the first consideration in its develop-
ment is that of creating beauty, independent of any practical value
which the park may eventually assume. If civic embellishment could
be accepted as the only function of parks, their development as beauty
spots would be comparatively easy, being simply application of pri-
mary principles of pictorial composition. But it soon develops that
parks must serve many purposes of use as w^ell as pictorial pleasure,
and the problem of designing parks becomes immediately and im-
mensely comphcated. The fact that parks must meet very complex
demands of traffic, of wear and tear and public abuse, that they must
provide for public utility, convenience and comfort, rest, recreation
and enjoyment, imposes a set of conditions which the experienced
designer recognises as more exacting than those encountered in the
landscape development of private property. INIuch as architectural
design should express not only good composition but a satisfying of
all requisites of construction and use, so a park design must attain
pictorial agreeableness without disregard of the practical service
which it must render.
58
An instance of park design, composed with street archi-
tecture to express axial relationship and civic unity —
defeated in its purpose by careless placing of a
street accessory
KARLSPLATZ, VIENNA
The ''mair' type of park design is but a icide bare
area between a double row of trees. It represents maxi-
mum utility but minimum beauty
LOGAN PARK. WASHINGTON
(As Originally Constructed)
mmsm
HMI—i!
■^iimm-im\,*-''
The '' prbme?iade'' iype adds heauty to utility. A park
which is merely convenient evades one of its most funda-
mental duties, which is to radiate beauty
LOGAN PARK. WASHINGTON
(As Redesigned by the Author)
PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN
SINCEHITY OF PLAN
The first principle affecting both beauty and utility in the design
of a park is that of sincerity of plan. By this is meant that the plan
of a park should first of all meet every demand of convenience, amply
accommodating such number of people as may use it, never allowing
artistic considerations to outweigh practical necessities. Secondly, it
should perform this function in a frank, straight-forward way, never
concealing its purpose or evading the issue by a confusion of design.
The design should be the outgrowth of governing physical conditions,
a meeting of the requirements of contour and ground formation.
Rarely does good design require extravagant changing in earthwork.
Difficult and expensive engineering problems are often the result of
an inflexible predetermined design, conceived by the artist without
proper study of existing grade conditions. Also, a plan should never
be prepared from the standpoint of immediate display which will per-
chance w^in plaudits in the initial stages of its execution, but will betray
the ultimate best interests of the community. Sincerity of plan may
be judged by ease of use, relative expense of execution, and beauty of
permanent display. A sincere plan will satisfy all these tests: an
insincere plan will be found wanting in some one of the three for which
superlativeness in the other two cannot be substituted.
STRENGTH OF PLAN
The second principle of park design is strength of plan. A park
design should not only express its purpose, but do so in such a positive
way that the message shall carry. There should be no doubt in the
observer's mind that the plan was prepared with a definiteness of aim :
if it be a formal design, that there was a reason for its being formal;
if simulating rural scenery, that such type of scenery was considered
pertinent in that place ; if specially enriched or ornate, that the design
demanded such lavishness. A park design should appear so decisive
62
Only with strength of design for a foundation will the
park detail appear eoniponent and vital. Formal
planting emphasises iceakness of plan; informal plant-
ing conceals without redeeming
CITY HALL PARK, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
PRIXC IPLES OF PARK DESIGN
as to forestall criticism, its lines positively demarked and well tied
to()ether so as to announce a firmness of treatment, a man's solution of
the problem tliat will not brook change after the design has been
accepted to the point of being laid out on the ground. Only with such
strength of design for a foundation will the park detail of it appear
vital rather than superficial. Strength of design can be obtained only
by a forceful solving of problems well in advance of execution, a
getting down to fundamentals and a constructing of the design on an
axial two-dimension basis that will diagram simply and read clearly.
The more elaborate a park is to be, the more carefully arranged must
be the main lines of the design to provide strength for carrying the
landscape superstructure.
NEED OF UNITY
The third principle is that of unity. The design of a park must
express a certain oneness of idea. There must be a common trait in
the expression of the different elements of its design and an amiable
relation between them. There cannot be unity if there is attempted
admixture of too-widely variant park elements, and nothing will so
destroy the unity of a park and render its effect so distinctly unpleas-
ant as the bringing together of too miscellaneous features into one
park composition. To obtain unity in a park there must be a har-
monious relation in both the design and the material of its component
parts. For example, the introduction of a stucco building into a small
park already characterised by brick walls and a brick pergola, or the
introduction of a brick building into a park perhaps already dominated
by stone retaining walls, can be accomplished only at the sacrifice of
unity, for there will be an obvious discord of material. Again, the
grouping of a Colonial arbour, a Spanish pool and Florentine seats
cannot be pleasing, for there will be discord of design. Finally, in
addition to harmony of material and relation of style, unity of park
64
There can be no imihj of design if there is no recognition
of architectural plan, no relation or coordination of parts
PARK IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN
design will be found to be dependent upon strength of " tie." Tie, in
design, means recognition of architectural plan, a coordination and
knitting together of parts into a well organised whole according to
rules of syninietry, balance, and axial relationship.
RELATION AND SCALE
The fourth principle of park design to be recognised is that of
scale. A designer will be rendered helpless at the start by too many
fixed dimensions. He naturally must accept the bounding lines of
the park and perhaps one or two other dimensions, but beyond that
the scale of park features should be determined by the scale of the
proposed design. It is impossible to obtain design pleasing in the
proportion of its spaces if they are determined by dimension rather
than by relation. It is always a surprise to the layman, in inquiring
of the designer as to the width of certain walks or the exact size of
certain pools or fountain basins, to see the designer lay his scale on
the drawing to determine the dimension before being able to answer.
It is inconceivable to him that the designer should not have known in
advance the exact dimension of the different parts of the design which
he composed, and yet such is rarely the case. A designer is merely
concerned that everything be " in scale," as he expresses it. By this he
means that the integral parts of the design shall possess a certain
harmony of size in relation to each other and to the total park area.
A water basin or artificial pond which should usurp over one-half of
the entire area of a small park would be said to be out of scale with
that park; on the other hand, the same pool might be so small as to
appear insignificant in a very large park, and for exactly the opposite
reason would be said to be out of scale with the second park. A walk
four feet wide in one park may have reached the very limit of size
without seeming disproportionate, and yet in a park in Washington,
not so extensive as one might suppose, the design called for a promen-
66
There must he a common trait in the expression of the
different elements of the design, and an amiable rela-
tion between them. The ancient ruins and the modern
fountain link np the centuries but offend the sense
PARK VITTORIO EMANUELE, ROME
•/,-.: /
^^
A'
5^ -^;^ V'l] i
'*i^MiiKfS'^0i4b^^
il5
-v"^
Xarroir walks, devious and irrelevant, fritter aivay the
dignity of a park, belittling its features, decreasing its
importance
LINCOLN PARK, WASHINGTON
(As Originally Constructed)
Dignified ividth of icalk, determined by ''scale,'' not
precedent, places the park in higher esteem, exalting
its features, increasing its authority
LINCOLN PARK, WASHINGTON
(As Redesigned by the Author)
PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN
ade walk thirty feet wide, which caused much alarm at the time it was
first staked out, and yet when executed appeared perfectly in scale
with the park entrance with which it composed. A formal park walk
may be changed in scale by the divisions of its marking, exactly as the
scale of a facade is influenced by the size of its voids and the detail of
its ornament. A park, similar to architecture, must relate in scale to
the human figure but not to the same extent as must a building; it is
controlled more by the scale of its area and the scale of its surroundines.
A factor of scale that must be considered in the design of parks is
that of third dimension. For example, the small city park surrounded
by high buildings requires as great a foliage height as may be obtained,
in order to prevent its having an undue appearance of depression or
squattiness ; while a broad expanse of park bordered by comparatively
low buildings would have a stilted, gangling appearance if planted
with a superabundance of tall-growing fastigiate trees. Scale in park
design, therefore, is ensured in two ways : First, by comparing the park
features with each other, allowing no feature to dominate others unduly
by reason of size ; and second, by comparing them w^ith the size of the
park area and the architectural scale of the siu*roundings, determining
the size and height each feature may take in relation to its environment.
EXPRESSION OF CHARACTER
The fifth principle, that of character, is of importance in park work
in two respects : First, a j^ark design shoidd not seem anonymous ; and
second, it should express the character of a park, not the character of
something else. The design of a park should not be so intricate in its
detail as to suggest a private garden. It should not appear personal
as though owned by the residents of the adjoining properties, nor so
individual as to attract attention to the personality of the designer.
It should express a breadth of purpose, a largeness in the handling of
its masses and in the disposition of its parts, that shall make for its
70
The design may he an oidgroidh of origincd coiiditions
and will have character if made to conform to and express-
natural lines of grade
MONTROSE PARK, GEORGETOWN
(Designed by the Author)
f5
A park approach congested and cluttered presents the
park in an ignoble light and alienates it from its civic
surroundings
WASHINGTON CIRCLE, WASHINGTON
(As Originally Constructed)
A park approach direct and clear, reveals the park in a
cordial congenial aspect. It is the handclasp of park
and city
WASHINGTON CIRCLE, WASHINGTON
(As Redesigned by the Author)
PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN
civic character. The most desirable condition in a city is that all
citizens shall feel a proprietary interest in all the parks rather than in
the especial ones in their section; and with this in mind the designer
should avoid giving parks a private appearance, but aim to express
civic trait and character. One of the means of accomplishing this is
pointed out in the chapter on Planting in Parks.
As with persons, a park which exhibits merely a certain prettiness
of appearance without intelligence becomes distinctly unsatisfying
and even aggravating after a very short time. There are instances
where parks are not only characterless but lack even that superficial
prettiness; and then there is little to recommend them. Character is
the distinguishing mark that renders a design worthy of attention; it
is the combination of those qualities that will make it appropriate to
its surroundings and to the purpose of its building ; it is that quality in
its make-up or composition that receives good estimate from the
community in which it is located.
FELICITOUS AND ATTRACTIVE
The final law or principle that must be observed is that of attractive-
ness. The design of a park should be such as to render it attractive
and inviting. The park nmst first of all present an appearance of
artistic charm and pictorial beauty that will justify its existence in
the public mind. Secondly, the design must be such that its attractive-
ness is not one-seasonal or temporary. A park inviting for one month
of the year and dull for the remaining eleven months is a stupid affair.
Also, if of the sort which the designer knows cannot be kept in
attractive aspect after the first few years, or so designed that its beauty
will last but for the first season or two, its eventual dishabilitation over-
shadows its short-time glory. Especially important in this respect is
the possibility of maintenance. A shabby park or one run down at the
heel, however beautiful it may be in innate design, will always be dis-
74
m
A park composition may demonstrate axial relation-
ship with its surroundings without taking on a formal
or infelicitous character
PIAZZA CARLO FELICE, TORINO
PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN
credited and undervalued. It cannot be considered good design if
calling for the sort of exacting care that demands large expenditure,
launching the city on an expensive program of park maintenance. A
design to satisfy conditions of attractiveness must render a park beau-
tiful and inviting, reasonably permanent and possible of maintenance
without imposing burdens of expense.
There may be found many sorts of park design from worthless-
ness to mediocrity, to creditableness, to perfection. Along the route
from the worst to the best there naturally lies a wide range of park
possibilities. It will be found that although laws and principles are
not always agreeable company, and often appear to repress all esthetic
impulse and personal inspiration, acceptance of such guidance will
greatly aid the designer in avoiding pitfalls and help him more surely
to approach the acme of success in park development — good design.
^. mm
A park is dull and tedious when it neither reflects nor
expresses beauty. Corrective principles tvill not supply
charm when it is lacking
PUBLIC GARDENS, NIMES, FRANCE
p
CHAPTER IV
" PASSING-THROUGH " PARKS
ASSING-THROUGH parks are considered to embrace those
most limited in size. They comprise the park portions of civic
centres, " down-town " squares and open spaces, the park areas
located at points of street divergence or termination, and the large
number of irregular left-over areas w^hich miglit be termed " odds-
and-ends " in civic development. Many of the parks falling in this
group are so small as to permit little park treatment other than for
the quick glimpsing of those passing through or by them ; but, for that
very reason, their design and composition should be such that the
quick impression given may be a forceful and expressive one.
The term " passing-through " has been elected as most designa-
tive of the character of the parks enumerated under that heading. In
the early morning until the hour when most business offices commence
work, the passing of human beings through the public parks located
between their homes and the business districts suggests nothing so
much as the express service in the subw^ays. A continuous stream
of humanity with set faces and eyes straight ahead, now in congested
formation, now in open file, passes in unbroken, undeviating lines
across the parks in several directions, the different cross lines inter-
weaving and dovetailing in a truly remarkable fashion. Any land-
scape development in the parks for the attention or enjoyment of
these rapidly moving throngs is superfluous; any park design that
shall retard their flood and ebb tide will be ill received. Such parks
must be designed for absolute accommodation and convenience of
traffic, with all other considerations secondary.
There may be permitted, however, in the development of these
parks a certain amount of civic beautification which will not inter-
fere w^ith hues of passage, and yet proffer enjoyment and recreation
Note — See diagram in Appendix.
78
la 1 A
ma
"Passing-through" parks need fo be designed for accom
modation and convenience of traffic, ivith other con
ditions secondary
MILITARY PARK, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
"PASSING-THROUGH" PARKS
for the eye during the middle of the day when the passers there retard
their pace to some extent. Even the most meagre of park treatment
will seem like a green oasis in the midst of city buildings, and in-
cidentally offer agreeable contrast and attractive setting for the
abutting architecture.
TYPE OF DESIGN RECOMMENDED
The design of such parks would better be very formal and regular,
being thereby more in accordance with the preponderance of archi-
tectural forms surrounding them. There should be avoided, how-
ever, undue recognition of any especial one of the abutting buildings,
lest the area become transformed into foreground or forecourt to
the building, and its character as a park be lost. The lines of the plan
should be kept very restrained, the ensemble such as may be com-
prehended at a glance, that being the approximate attention it may
expect to receive. Intricate designs will confuse the eye without
carrying conviction.
In Italian parks of this sort, frequently the entire areas are dis-
posed in gravel to facilitate circulation in any direction, the design
being completed by a formal furnishing of trees and seats with
statue or fountain at the centre. Such an arrangement reads clearly
and serves its civic purpose admirably. In America, however, it
would probably be considered too bald a treatment. The French
idea of extensive open plazas puts too much " air " into the plan, as
an architect would express it, and tends to eliminate too great
proportion of park area.
The design of passing-through parks should aim for maximum
accommodation by means of walks and gravel spaces without losing,
however, their identity as parks. Direct cross lines, well-propor-
tioned spaces and auxiliary ornamentation is the order of design
recommended.
80
''A co)itinuoiis siream of humanity with set faces and
eyes straight ahead . . . Any landscape develop-
vient for the attention or enjoyment of these rapid
moving throngs is superfluous''^
MILITARY PARK, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
'TASSING-THROUGH" PARKS
CHARACTER OF DECORATIVE FEATURES
The decorative features of such parks would best be kept archi-
tectural, the embellishments taking the form of fountains, statues or
urns. The design of these features when placed within the park
should be foursquare in so far as possible, for they will be viewed
from all directions. Exedra types or features with architectural
background should be placed on the edge of the park and facing out,
for parks of this variety should be considered in their street aspect.
Facing in, such would-be embellishment becomes imintelligible — dis-
figuring in that respect; and even when placed w^ithin the park,
interrupts the cross views without explanation except for a forty-five-
degree segment. For this same general reason fountains are pref-
erable to statues for the embellishment of passing-through parks, as
peniiitting inspection from all sides.
Water display should be dominating and forceful, suggesting the
energy and action of the enviromiient. Idle pools or lily basins
appear incongruous in such a setting; and naturalistic water treat-
ments, as the cascade in the Public Square at Cleveland, are absurdly
misplaced in such location. The intermittently playing fountain in
Madison Square Park in New York, which keeps up a constantly
rising and falling jet of water, has perhaps a somewhat neurotic
appearance inconsonant with the idea of park repose, but in rare
keeping with the high-tension, alternating current of humanity
constantly passing through the park where it is located. The effect
of the five vertical jets in the circular basin ornamenting the south
portion of the Circus in Detroit, replacing the iron disfigurement
formerly there, is forceful without being spectacular. One also
recalls as a particularly adequate fountain for its position in a passing-
through park the sj^mbolic Norrenbrunnen, in the Karlsplatz at
Munich. Fountains in such location need not exhibit the conspicuous
82
J UU] lUU^UU UiJ^UU lJUisi4U UU^Uil UU^Un LJU.
DnnDDnOSDDK
Saratniah, the city of "passing-through''' parks, excels
in their treatment. Main walks in cement, cross wal/is
in brick, statue at centre, without congestion of seats or
ohstruciion of shrubs — their appearance is commendable
MADISON SQUARE, SAVANNAH, GA.
"PASSING-THROUGH" PARKS
display of water essential to those holding focal positions in a city
plan, but they should be next of kin in character and force of water
treatment.
ARCHITECTURAL PLANTING DESIGN
In the planting of passing-through parks, the fundamental
purpose of distributing light and air in the congested district of the
city should be recognised. There should not be such density of shade
as to give an effect of sombreness during the day or to interfere with
adequate illumination of the park at night. The planting should not
be such as to enclose the park, which arrangement would interrupt
air currents and — a matter of great moment — would give the park the
appearance of isolation, an attribute of a neighbourhood or rest park.
Parks completely surrounded by high buildings might be styled civic
air wells, and in that sense the landscape planting of such parks should
not be crowded so as to exclude or to disturb the free circulation of air.
The planting of this style of park should always be kept distinctly
subordinate to the architectural plan and to the architecture of the
adjacent buildings. It should aspire to a certain regularity and
formal character. Rural scenery injected into congested business
districts always seems out of place and ill at ease; if by rare chance
it appears to be prosperous and thriving, there is a cocky braggadocio
about it as though it were saying, " Well, here I am — what do you
make of it? "^ — like the oak tree in the masonry wall at Windsor Castle.
A point of park design rarely considered is that planting should
be studied in regard to its vertical aspect, to provide such elevation as
may bring it in scale and character with the adjoining architecture.
There should be a regularity of skyline, with avoidance of snaggle-
toothed picturesqueness. Uvedale Price points out that " irritation or
stimulus is necessary to the picturesque: in the act of speaking, for
example, a smooth and even tone of voice indicates calm and rej^ose,
and broken, irregular accents, irritation; if buildings were to be cov-
84
Parking of an inner square designed to recognise
"passing-through^' lines of the city, the planting re-
strained and formal
KONIGLICHER ZWINGER, DRESDEN
"PASSING-THROUGH" PARKS
ered with sharp, projecting ornaments, the eye would be harassed
and distracted." Thus, jagged park planting means irritation. There
is already sufficient to irritate the eye in the average city prospect
without the introduction of a new element. With rare exceptions, an
even skyline composed of trees of regular contour arranged for cer-
tain formality of effect in relation to the buildings will best express
park and civic relationship in respect to this style of park.
The general park planting should consist primarily of tree growth
and turf — if any means is ever discovered of getting grass to grow
under city conditions of atmosphere and shade. There should be little
or no promiscuous shrubbery. Such material, if included, should be
selected for uniformity of height and texture and confined to distinct
beds almost in the nature of flowers. The planting must be so
arranged as to give strong contrast of light and shade, and so disposed
that to the greatest degree possible the shadows will fall in line value
and not be broken up into a confusion of unrelated shadow masses.
Properly availed of, foliage shadows in formal park design can be
made to render as dependable service as in architectural composition.
A row of Norway maples, for example, will give as solid a line of
shadow as an architect may obtain in his heaviest overhang of cornice,
and such foliage shadow lines will emphasise or disrupt the character
of the park plan. Shrubs in like sense will clarify or confuse a plan
and, if not to be confined to formal arrangement, as so well done in
German examples, should be omitted from passing-through parks. As
confusing the plan, interrupting the prospect, and preventing a clear
understanding of the park and civic relationship, this point that shrubs
be omitted from passing-through parks is earnestly recommended.
RELATION OF FLORAL DISPLAY TO PLAN
Floral displays in parks of this class should be very bold and
positive in character, disposed in beds strongly related and controlled
86
A '' pussing-throiKjW park on the border of a business
district forced by lack of other civic provision to serve
simultaneously as a neighbourhood park. The seats
shown along the cross walks, with their accompaniment
of baby carriages and go-carts resulted in congestion
of traffic, unrelieved until the recent addition of the
supplementary circular walk to which all seats have
been removed. A recognition of the dual character of
this park immediately suggested the remedy
Dl PONT CIRCLE, WASHINGTON
m
"PASSING-THROUGH" PARKS
by the lines of the park design, and as large as the spaces may permit — •
although, of course, not of such size as to appear heroic. The form
and extent of flower beds should be controlled by design and scale, not
by precedent or instruction. A large number of insignificant, unrelated
flower beds are a detriment rather than a decoration to a park. The
floral displays should be composed of strong-growing plants : the sort
that do not need constant pampering but are able to withstand the
buffets of the city, the varieties that represent the survival of the fittest.
Also plants which give both striking and elementary colour display
when in bloom are preferable. There need not be fear of garishness or
crudeness in this aspect, for the constantly settling dust of the city soon
tones down what at first might appear untoward brightness. No
objection is ever heard in the spring because of the clear sap-green
brilliancy of the new leaves of trees in such parks, and the fall days are
doubly melancholy because by the time of their arrival the leaves of the
trees have become so thickly coated with grime that the festive fall
colourings are indiscernible, even if the trees have sufficient vitality to
retain their leaves until the coming of frost. Great beds of purple-
leaved cannas with edging of pennisetum, bright displays of coleus
or sturdy red geraniums with edging of centaurea, seem best fitted for
occupying positions of this sort.
Choice combinations of finer blooming things appear out of place
in these parks, and unequal to the position assigned them. Delicate
shades in flower blooms appear gardenesque rather than civic in colour,
and for that reason should not be used in parks of this type. The spring
display of pale hyacinths and English daisies in some of the down-town
parks in New York City could well be supplanted by the darker, more
intense coloured hyacinths known as King of the Blues, accompanied if
desired by crocus of the same name. The double-flowering pink and
white tulip, Murillo variety, beautiful in itself for both mass display
and cutting, was found to be inadequate and out of character when
88
This is the only type of floral design that could win
approval in many of our "passing-through'' parks
MARGIT PARK, BUDAPEST
"PASSING-THROUGH" PARKS
planted in a focal point park in Washington. Tulips of sturdier bloom
and better coloiu* for spring display in such parks are the scarlet and
yellow varieties, Belle Alliance and Yellow Prince, but not together.
The general subject of floral display in parks is discussed more fully
in a later chapter.
SEAT ACCOMMODATION
In strictly passing-through parks there shoidd be few, if any,
benches, for their presence tends to clog the walks and permit loitering.
If there are encircling or secondary walks not used for through passage,
seats may be grouped along them ; but the ideal solution is to congre-
gate the benches in " rest " parks slightly off the line of congested
pedestrian passage. This is an instance, however, where there must
be a certain amount of give and take; and while from the analytical
standpoint few or no seats should be placed in such parks for the
reasons stated, yet if there are not proper parks where seats may be
located, the existing parks must serve double duty in this respect. In
densely populated cities there may be so great demand for seating
accommodations that every bench provided will be kept continuously
occupied, as in Franklin Park, Philadelphia. In such case the ideal
must give way to the exigency of the moment — even if, as in that
instance, it means a continuous line of seats on each side of every walk.
The designer, however, may console himself that it is not a corruption
of princij)le in that case, but a sacrifice of park efficiency to conceal
park deficiency. It has occurred in this connection to suggest that in
congested public parks where large seating capacity as well as pedes-
trian accommodation must be provided, certain of the spaces between
the walks might well be given up to an orderly arrangement of seats.
Such close grouping is very frequently observed in the iron chairs
which are placed out for hire in European parks; their appearance is
not deleterious to the park, and the idea of sacrificing beauty of green-
sward to accommodation of needed seats is not discordant with the
90
//, through civic poverty, there is no opportunity for
■seating accommodation except in parks of this type,
let there he seats as close together as necessary: confined,
however, to special supplementary wallcs
MILITARY PARK, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
'TASSING-THROUGH" PARKS
ethics of park design. If considered offensive by some, it will serve as
incentive to promote the acquisition of requisite park areas for rest
parks in down-town localities.*
" PASSING-AROUND " PARKS
The park areas at street terminations and the circular areas devel-
oped at street intersections in the radial system, come more under the
heading of " passing-around " than " passing-through " parks. As
an example of the close similarity between the two, there may be cited
Thomas Circle in Washington and Karolinenplatz in Munich, of
approximately the same size and similar location, the one with a statue,
the other with an obelisk at the centre, the main difference being that
in Washington the pedestrians pass around the Circle and in Munich
walks are provided in four directions for their passing through. Pass-
ing-around and passing-through parks must be considered much the
same in character of display allowed, the former, however, permitting
greater display than the latter because of greater focal interest.
When these parks come in a location where street views focus upon
them, they are then said to have focal or cynosure value, and in that
case should have especial features of civic interest. It usually happens
that such focal parks are immediately commandeered for statues.
This is fortunately one of the best purposes to wliich they may be put,
and thereby they render valuable service to the city plan. Such focal
points can be utilised equally well, however, by fountains or architec-
tural features which will contribute beauty as well as distinction to the
street view. Parks of this variety, when given architectural motifs,
should be kept free from planting or floral display, except as such
embellishment shall contribute to the setting of the statue or fountain.
Auxiliary planting must never interfere or compete witli tlie focal
motif.
* See chapter on " Disposition of Seats in Parks."
92
The small park areas at street intersections are usually
commandeered for statues; an occupation hut temporary,
let us hope, until improved taste dispossesses these spaces
for fountains, urns, and objets d\irt
WITHERSPOON AND WEBSTER TRIANGLES,
WASHINGTON
rtfTirfinw
mammm
A circle may be developed either as a "passing-through'"
or a " passing-around'' park. The American idea is
to keep such focal points for display
THOIVLVS CIRCLE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
(Designed by the Author)
A circle cut through ivith walk lines loses its pivotal
character and appears sacrificed to pedestrian haste
KAROLINENPLATZ, MUNICH
"PASSING-THROUGH" PARKS
LEFT-OVER AREAS
The large number of parks whicli have been termed odds-and-ends
in city development, the left-over or cut-off pieces of land often found
at street convergings, are usually so limited in area as to offer small
opportunity for walks, seats or other development.
The most that can be done with these parks is to give them a purely
decorative character, providing them with some simple motif of in-
terest, such as an urn or flower bed or small fountain, keeping the treat-
ment restrained and never so spectacular as to call undue attention to
the design. The j^lanting must always serve purely as setting and
background for the motif of the park and be kept subdued and secon-
dary unless it is the only embellishment of the park, in which case it
may take a positive character. Planting in a small reservation of this
kind should never be of the sort to insistently demand recognition.
As a general admonition, passing-through parks should not be
overloaded with ornamentation. Too profuse display or undue elab-
orateness is derogatory and in poor taste. The park may be " rich but
not gaudy," and its design should express its intent and satisfy its
purpose. Although conformity to enviromnent may appear to
threaten individuality of the park, and adherence to rule may appear to
reduce all design to standardisation, the result in each case will dis-
prove such sophistry, for passing-through parks, perforce, are abso-
lutely reflective of the governing conditions — and in civic and park
design the governing conditions of no two problems are ever found
to be identical.
The artificial spring and twin seat in a recently
developed ''left-over' area in Washington. The "pass-
ing-through'' lines in this park have been reduced
to a minimum expression
SMALL TRLVNGLE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
(Designed by the Author)
, 1
1",
BSHBB1B31
CHAPTER V
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
A NY park dominated by a certain group of residences, governed in
_/j^ its aims by desire to serve the needs of that neighbourhood, and
influenced in its design by the character and daily life of the people
who congregate within its area, may be designated as a Neighbourhood
Park. There is no intent to separate a town or city into neighbourhood
castes by this sort of park development but an aim to recognise and
serve different types of neighbourhoods as they exist. The vital pur-
pose of neighbourhood parks is the same whether the}' be located in
the midst of congested tenement districts, in consciously select neigh-
bourhoods of closely adjoining houses, or where the residences are
detached, furnished with private lawns and " stylish " — that section
of a city enjoyed by the " privileged " classes, as a Syracuse lady
guilelessly designated the neighbourhood in which she and her friends
lived. Parks in these widely differing localities are all for the common
purpose of service; and while not recognising the bond sufficiently to
interchange social entente, yet, in their similar relationship to the
affairs of the respective individuals of each neighbourhood and inde-
pendent of differences in the character of the neighbourhoods, the
parks will need relatively the same fundamental treatment in design.
The general aim of a neighbourhood park must be to provide the
residents in that locality with rest, outdoor enjoyment, and recreation.
The latter term in this case is limited in its application to the sort of
park development that recreates the eye and the mind rather than that
entailing considerable or excessive physical exertion. A neighbour-
hood park should permit perfect relaxation on the part of those who
frequent it. Its design and material should be agreeable and pleasing
to the eye ; its convenience ample and ministering to the general com-
fort of its users. It should be sufficiently personal to make individual
Note — See diagram in Appendix.
98
A neighbourhood is fortujiafe fo acquire an old estate
which may be converted into a park
MONTROSE PARK, GEORGETOWN
(Developed by the Author)
'i^'i7:^''.WiSJtiJ!'::£Zs.^sssemBaasssgsEis^j'
Areas about public oj' semi-public buildings not needed
for architectural setting may very properly be given
park development for the benefit of the neighbourhood
NEUE PINAKOTHEK GROUNDS, MUNICH
(Viewed from Within)
Shadeful planting about public buildings will exert a
restful influence as overlooked from neighbourhood
windows
NEUE PIXAKOTHEK GROUNDS, MUNICH
(Viewed from Without)
V
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
appeal to the residents of its own neighbourhood. These objects may
l)e acconiphshed in somewhat different ways in each neighbourhood,
the modus operandi to depend upon the modus Vivendi, but the gen-
eral principles of development to be much the same.
THOSE IN THE POORER DISTRICTS
Neighbourhood parks in tenement districts should be kept ex-
tremely simple in design, of the sort that will stand harsh treatment
and not require a maximum of maintenance. Tenement dwellers
usually have not reached the point of recognising property rights,
either private or public. They appreciate in a subconscious way the
civic advantages given them and make the most of opjDortunities
offered, but they do not appreciate that proper regard on their part
will make the continuance of such advantages possible and bring
additional ones as well. The main idea of the design should be to
provide ample room for circulation and opportunity for the natural
playing about of children. As expressed in the chapter. Playgrounds
in Parks, tenement districts are ideal and necessary locations for play-
grounds, which will in large part take care of the children, but the
neighbourhood parks in these districts should also provide for their
presence and not exclude them. With ample accommodation of space
alone, w^hich means to them opportunity of getting out into the open
air in the neighbourhood of their homes, the tenement dwellers will, in
the main, feel that a city is bestowing upon them a bountiful gift.
The planting in parks of this sort should be confined mostly to trees
for the sake of the shade w^hich they will give, of strong-growing
varieties that will thrive even with the soil trampled hard about their
roots, and varieties that will not invite depredation on account of their
flowers or fruit, as for example, catalpas or horse-chestnuts. Quick-
growing varieties should be given the preference, as it is always more
or less of a problem in a park where the trees are submitted to hard
102
I
The screen belt of shrubbery, together icith the unusually
large area of this park, gives it an erroneous neighbour-
hood appearance. Although children may play here
pleasantly enough during certain hours, it is not
conveniently located for such purpose and lacks the
security of a neighbourhood park
MILITARY PARK, NEWARK, N. J.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
usage to get a tree up to the point where it will take care of itself.
Shrub planting, while permissible, should be attempted in an experi-
mental way, with only the coarse-growing varieties that will not com-
mand special attention. It will not be possible to have much turf in
the design on account of the impossibility of maintenance, for it will be
found that the entire area will come in for pretty constant usage and
the problem will be one of sweeping the park rather than mowing it.
If flower display is attempted at all, it had better be in a concentrated
fashion, laid out in one or more beds of considerable size and frankly
locked up within a protecting picket fence. Although, in that sense,
it may present the character of something to be peeked in at like an
animal at the Zoo, it will be found that flower display in tenement
districts can be maintained in no other way.
PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE
The character of parks in tenement districts should be very plain
and unpretentious with little ornamental display. Ornamentation will
not only be out of keeping but be in a sense irritating to the many who
may be undergoing struggles of poverty. The character of the park
should be a grade higher than that to which they are accustomed, which
will not form sufficient contrast to cause resentment, and yet encour-
age a desire in them for something better.
There may be architectural accessories such as shelters and pa-
vilions, together with necessary fences, copings, et cetera. Fountains
are sure to be used for mischief or to take the place of the bathing
facilities which should be provided by the city in proper way. If a
statue is to be lodged in one of these parks, let it be placed so as to seem
as little in the way as possible. Also let it be of an educational character
or such as will inspire patriotism and loyalty to country, preferably an
inscribed shaft or monument commemorating some notable event in the
history of our country rather than a grotesque efligy.*
* Sec chapter on Statues and Effigies in Parks.
104
'M prime necessity for the wJiolesome life and progress
of the modern city is the development of an inspiring
neighbourhood spirit,'" prescribes Secretary of War
Baker. This does not mean the development of down-
toicn forums for idlers
A PERVERTED DISPLAY PARK, SAN DIEGO
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
Special attention must be given to keeping these parks dry and
sanitary. Adequate provision must be made for drainage, the walks
should l)e of brick or cement which will be durable and remain in
good condition, and proper provision should be made for public com-
fort. The parks should be well lighted during the evening, and ser-
viceable receptacles provided in which to throw papers and other
waste to help keep the park clean and encourage the idea of orderliness
in the minds of the people there. There should be one or more sanitary
drinking fountains incorporated in the design. Above all, there nuist
be a superabundance of benches, of a strong, durable sort, with
arrangements made for definitely anchoring them in the places where
they are to remain. If these benches are damaged they should be
repaired or replaced with others if necessary ; never should retaliation
be taken on the tenement residents by removing the benches entirely.
The same standards of conduct cannot be applied to neighboiu'hood
parks in tenement districts as to others, and the parks are for purjjoses
of ministering to their welfare, both in kindliness as well as in education.
MIDDLE-CLASS NEIGHBOURHOODS
Neighbourhood parks in what are known as middle-class districts
permit of somewhat freer development. They also, however, had best
be kept somewhat regular and formal in design, expressing the re-
straint and order which one expects when living well within the city
where each individual conforms to the laws governing the many. The
general effect should be that of simplicity and straightforwardness.
Although informal treatment may sometimes be admitted with fair
results, it will be found the exception when a naturalistic design seems
to adequately express or fulfil the functions of this sort of neigh-
bourhood park. Parks in these neighbourhoods, as in the tenement
districts, should provide for ample circulation. The park may be semi-
enclosed, but not to the extent of suggesting privacy; the planting
106
Neighbourhood parks in quiet residential districts
may have the placid assurance of old-world gardens
BATTERY PARK, CHARLESTON, S. C.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
should, as in the previous examples, be principally for shade, although
there may be more liberality in the introduction of shrubs and flowers.
A generous variety of bedding plants may be used, although for
reasons of maintenance it is well to refrain from introducing delicate-
growing or rare varieties. In the English parks of this sort perennials
are employed to good effect and require practically no expense of
upkeep after once planted.
The happiest medium in ornamenting these parks will be that of
water, which may take innumerable forms of fountains and pools. A
great opportunity is lost by any city if every neighbourhood park of
the sort described is not provided with some form of water display.
The water features usually — if not always — had best be formal in
character, in keeping with the regularity of the park design which has
been recommended. Italy offers the best examples of such use of
water in small parks, and English parks the worst. Every park de-
signer should avail himself of this most beautiful form of park orna-
mentation in neighbourhood parks where it is eminently suitable and
always highly appreciated.
There should be ample provision for seats in these parks, though
they need not be introduced in as great number as recommended for
neighbourhood parks in the poorer districts. The placing of these
seats should recognise design as well as service, which matter is dis-
cussed at length in the chapter on the disposition of seats in parks.
The especial character to be emphasised in the development of
neighbourhood parks in middle-class residential districts is that they
shall not be over-pretentious nor over-lavish in display, so as to appear
either copying after the extravagant gardens of the rich, or expending
the city's money in a prodigal fashion. With the present tendency of
our middle classes to ape after the manner of tliose of larger means
and to covet their extravagancies and indulgences, the parks should
not be developed in a way to foster false ideals. Their better aim
108
// lavish ornament is desired in a neighbourhood, let it be
external and not affect the benevolence of the park within
ESZTERHAZY PARK, VIENNA
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
may l)e to exert a steadying influence adverse to the growing tendencj'
to exceed income in the scale of daily living.
PARKS IX THE FINEST NEIGHBOURHOODS
It is in the neighbourhood park of the third type, those in the resi-
dential districts of the " privileged " classes, that the greatest liberty
of design may be taken, — although by this is not meant the greatest
liberty of expenditure. The plan may be formal or informal. Here it
will be found practicable to permit the plan to take on a more natural-
istic character, although actual imitation of rural scenery should not
be attempted. There should be expressed a certain amount of govern-
ment in naturalistic design, an effect of balance and symmetry, and a
striving for pictorial composition that will give a sort of formality to
the most informal grouping of landscape elements. Often the areas
to be developed as parks will already possess attractive featm-es of
contour or tree growth, and any existing beauty of such nature should
be conserved and allowed to colour the park scene created.
These parks may be either wholly screened so as to render the in-
terior portion very private, or they may be allowed to take exactly the
reverse character in extreme openness, suggesting centralisation of
the house lawns. Originally, in many instances, parks of this character
w^re actually owned by residents of the neighbourhood and were fenced
and kept locked up. Practically all of the London residential parks
are closed except to the neighbourhood residents who have keys to
admit them, and the interior portions are developed as private grounds
with informal treatment of winding walks, summer houses, and border
plantings. Portman, Bedford, Grosvenor, Berkeley, and Red Lion
Squares are examples of such London parks, and we have our own
Grammercy Park in New York City of the same private character.
Records show that Lafayette Park in Washington originally was en-
closed with a six-foot iron fence in a similar way, and not until 1880
110
The English neighbourhood parks are still kept under
lock and key, screened from view without, and restricted
to the use of " myself, my wife, and my son John "
BLOOMSBURY SQUARE, LONDON
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
had the residents developed sufficiently in grace and humanity to
permit its removal. At the present time practically all of such parks
in American cities, with but one known exception, in Syracuse, N. Y.,
have given way to the more democratic form of park which is open for
the enjoyment of all comers, and little inconvenience results to the
residents of the neighbourhood who formerly withheld the park for
their personal use.
FREEDOM OF DESIGN BUT NOT AD LIB.
Display of water in these parks may be made an especial feature.
Unlike the formal pools and fountains of the previous type of park
described, naturalistic ponds, lagoons and small lakes are permissible,
depending upon the area available. There may be irregular lily pools
and fish and duck ponds offering all the interest of a private estate,
without disturbing the public character of the park. In such type of
water development, the landscape designer may be given absolute
freedom of expression.
Architectural and sculptural adornment of such parks should be
permitted only under the strictest scrutiny and censorship. All the
quiet residential character may be sacrificed in a moment by the intro-
duction of some grim war hero or other, and there should be the most
united and concerted action of the residents against such infringement
of their park. Decorative sculpture is the proper form which such
embellishment should take, and picturesque characters from history
or fiction such as Pocahontas/or John Alden, legendary figures like
Peter Pan, and fantastic incidents such as the Salem witches, may be
portrayed in a way to stir the imagination and recreate the mind while
so placed amidst foliage and naturalistic surroundings as to enliven
and not endanger the pictorial composition.
Seats may be individually placed so as to afford the best prospects
of a park without in any way detracting from the landscape effect as a
whole. The planting may be plentiful and gracious. Trees and shrubs
112
Intimate companionable statues are compotie?it
with neighbourhoods and the sort which neigh-
bourhoods ivill enjoy
PETER PAN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS, LONDON
i"^
I
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
and flowers may be used in any profusion or variety that the design
will permit, providing that an effect of display for display alone be
avoided. Efficacious planting will contribute to the value of the
landscape composition as a whole and demonstrate the best precepts
of landscape gardening. The gravest danger in the development of
neighbourhood parks of this sort is that, from the very liberty of
design allowed, no design whatever ma}' perhaps be accomplished.
Such parks are most liable to be weak and vacillating in design,
crowded with good material but lacking in unity and correlation of
parts. Only decisiveness of plan will rescue such parks from being
characterless. It is in the development of this type of park that the
services of a competent landscape designer are most imperative and
3'^et most often are done without or are unappreciated when available.
DIRECT CIVIC ADVANTAGE
A city will be judged by its neighbourhood parks when being
inspected by prospective home builders. The most monumental and
impressive esplanade, the most striking array of display parks, the
most modern of great "recreation centres " will not carry so personal
a weight with the home builder as will the appearance of the park which
he is to see daily, the one which is in the immediate vicinity of the
property which he thinks to purchase, the park which he will consider
as his park. That free band concerts are occasionally to be given in
his park during the smmiier months will convince him of the citj^'s
progressiveness more speedily than will any amount of public enter-
tainment scheduled for " down town." Having thus caught his in-
terest by means of the neighbourhood j^ark, and appointed him, as it
were, one of the godfathers, he may gradually be imbued with a spirit
of friendliness and good-w^ill toward other neighbourhood parks as
well. In the course of a few years, and without alienation of affection
from the first child of his fancy, he will find himself taking a paternal
interest in all the parks of the city. It is by such means and of such
stuff that city fathers are made.
114
It doesn't take a sophisticated mind to discern that a
neighbourhood park is needed in this locality
UNDEVELOPED AREA, AKRON, OHIO
CHAPTER VI
RECREATION PARKS
EX ROUTE from Berlin to Munich during war mobilisation,
chancing it on troop trains and what not, the author found
himself one fine morning unexpectedly and unceremoniously deposited
at three a.m. in a burg designated on the station building by the abrupt
word Hof. His frame of mind upon such enforced arrival was not
mollified by finding the only two hotels of the place monopolised by
army officers, all private domiciles tightly closed for the night, and
not even a " shake-down " of straw available. In considerable mental
stress at such reception, and exhausted in body, patience, and vocabu-
lary, he abandoned himself to sunrise solitude in a nearby park. Now
the wonder: From a sense of personal calamity, he awakened to a
realisation that he was enjoying an opportunity. As the morning
progressed, he became so interested and absorbed in exploring this
park to which he had gravitated that he very nearly missed the outgoing
train at midday. A park that could resurrect a man's enthusiasm
under such depressing circumstances was surely efficient and worthy
to be styled recreative.
"RECREATION CENTRES" PERVERT PARKS
The term recreation park has become of recent years a confused
one in this country, due to the extraordinary development of " recrea-
tion " facilities in the parks of some of our larger cities, notably in
those of Chicago. These facilities, both indoor and outdoor, have been
made to include gymnasiums, assembly halls, club rooms, reading-
rooms, shower-baths, dressing quarters, swimming pools, athletic
grounds, et cetera, all of which have l)een assembled in what
are known as " recreation centres." Though such facilities are un-
questionably of enormous value in the regulation of a great city and
Note — See diagram in Appendix.
116
A recreation park is for relaxation and rest, a picnick-
ing place for children and grown-ups
GORDON PARK, CLEVELAND
RECREATION PARKS
their scope may well be extended insofar as their use justifies, the
question arises as to what extent they may be included in the develop-
ment and design of a park, without overtopping, and in a sense
absorbing, the park. The General Director of Field Houses and
Playgrounds, Chicago, frankly makes this statement in regard to
recreation centres:
" Legally these places are parks ; but the treatment and equipment of
their areas resemble parks only in the presence of a limited number of trees,
shrubs, and grassy places, and flowering plants where it has been possible to
place these features of traditional park building."
Equipment which limits " trees, shrubs, grassy places and flowering
plants " does not belong in parks but in playgrounds, and the sooner this
truth is understood and accepted, the less endangered will be our parks.
Properly considered and so constructed, recreation parks are
those arranged for such public enjoyment as takes place under self-
direction, with no organised leadership, and having no restrictions
other than those imposed by park custodians and guardians to restrain
action that would interfere with the rights of others or bring damage
to park property. This type of park will permit and should provide
for such forms of active recreation as baseball, football, tennis, cricket,
golf, and the like, but will exclude forms of recreation that destroy
park character and require active management and the services of
instructors and directors.
LEGITIMATE PARK IDEALS
The fundamental purpose of recreation parks is to give the people
of cities opportunity of rest and outdoor enjoyment within the city
confines. The facilities for play and amusement should be such as
conduce to exercise, of the sort that will improve health and spirits.
Many people are so dormant that they cannot be induced to participate
in anything more active than a moving-picture show. For such as
118
The large recreation park reveals Nature in her many
aspects
FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA
RECREATION PARKS
ordinarily confine themselves to the two senses of sight and hearing,
the parks should be so disposed as to compel a certain amount of
exercise in reaching the various points of interest. The park, while
offering a certain amount of passive amusement, should exact some
degree of activity on the visitor's part for the wholesome benefits he
will derive. Exercise is not inimical to rest and recreation.
Many recreation parks, because of their extensive areas and
naturalistic character, often become known as Driving Parks, a sup-
positional pleasure of the rich or of the comparative few who may have
carriages and automobiles. Such parks, if actually exclusive, are a
burden on any city, contributing to the enjoyment of too small a
minority to justify their expense and maintenance. They should be
immediately taken in hand, and arranged or rearranged to serve a
larger purpose. Every expedient of design should be called upon and
be made use of to convert each into a recreation ground for all, afford-
ing to everyone op^^ortunities of outdoor pleasure and enjoyment of a
sort that will win general appreciation and approbation.
DRIVEWAYS ARE PIONEER DEVELOPMENT
The fact that a park is of large area, or that it is provided with
drives, should not stigmatise it. Driveways are always the first ex-
pedient in design for the exploitation of newly-acquired park lands,
opening up beautiful areas and revealing natural features that might
otherwise remain unknown. If the initial roadways, having blazed the
way as it were, are soon accompanied by walk-ways and other park
development, the park will come into the universal use which is desired.
The Bois de Boulogne of Paris and the Tiergarten of Berlin are in one
sense driving parks, but they serve a greater function, meeting the
needs of all classes on Sundays and holidays when the people have
opportunity of getting out into the open.
A large recreation park involves much the same fundamental plan-
120
Walking may be made as popular as driving if given
equal dignity in the design
CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE
RECREATION PARKS
ning as the comprehensive design of a park system. Eiach individual
park of a well-designed system is located with reference to zones of
influence, is characterised in relation to the other parks and contributes
to the effectiveness of the system as a whole. The different features
of a recreation park correspond to the individual parks of a park
system, and follow much the same law in the reciprocity of design and
placing. Exactly as a park system aims to serve uniformly an entire
city, a recreation park should strive in the distribution of its features
of interest to utilise the entire acreage of a park, developing equally
its farthermost points, and thus serving as large a multitude of people
as possible without congestion at any j^oint.
ENTRANCE AND CIRCULATION
The entrance should be spacious and expressive of the character
and importance of the park. It may be marked with gate-posts, lodges,
or other architectural structures, but provision against congestion is
of prime importance. One of the first steps in the recent project to
transform the historic Fort McHenry at Baltimore into a park has
been the acquisition by the city of adequate area to provide a forecourt
at the entrance, a wise preliminary to the construction of the memorial
gateway contemplated. A poorly composed or congested entrance
treatment often maligns a well-arranged and well-studied park within.
There should be adequate space provided for arrival and circulation,
with wide promenades leading from the entrance in straight-away
fashion. An incident of some of our recent American park designs
are esplanades and open turf panels designated as " greetings " but
located at very nearly the centre of the park. Such greetings could
more logically be located at the main entrance, serving to handle the
congestion at that point and to distribute the crowd of visitors into the
several walks of the park system.
The main scheme or framework of a recreation park will usually
122
ti^i'ssr"^'"
wtm
mmtTtini iri-TPt
First impressions are often decisive. Gate posts,
lodges or prepossessing architectural treatment at the
entrance win park approval in advance
PUBLIC PARK, DRESDEN
RECREATION PARKS
be the system of communication between the different parts, connect-
ing the various features of interest. The driveways and walks com-
posing it should make an entire circuit of the park, returning without
break to the original point of entrance. There may be any number of
secondary lines with additional entrances and exits from the park,
but a trunk line or main artery of circulation is essential. The main
route should make a complete tour of the park, revealing practically
all of the features therein, or at least indicating their existence to those
willing to make side excursions. The principal driveway should be
followed closely in general direction by a system of walks, not every-
where paralleling the road in a servile monotonous fashion but recog-
nising its guidance and joining it at fundamental points of intersection
and interest. Walks which form more or less complete designs of
themselves as in small parks prove irrational and illogical in large
recreation parks ; the walks have usually a definite purpose of destina-
tion rather than merely that of offering place for promenading, as in
small parks. There may be spur walks leading to objects of park
pilgrimage not on the line of the driveway, or deflected walks to reveal
some especial scene of landscape beauty, but the devious and random
type of walk leading nowhere proves aggravating to the visitor, decoy-
ing him from a direct route and delaying him in reaching the especial
feature of interest which he may desire to visit. Gardening treatment
along walks in large parks should not be ignored but does not demand
the same fastidious attention as the planting of walks in smaller parks ;
the attention of the pedestrian is in a sense anticipatoiy, and intricate
planting detail is wont to be passed by unappreciated.
NATURALISTIC SCENERY
The first features to be developed for the enjoyment of the public
should be those inherent to the park; interior landscape scenes and
prospective views and vistas. Beautiful park landscape is usually the
124
Who ivould siirviise the above scene to he the main
entrance to a large park! Only the sign forbidding
teaming prevents it being mistaken for a service roadway
PERKINS PARK, AKRON, OHIO
RFXREATION PARKS
product of intent and design, rarely that of chance; primitive forests
are rich in potential scenery, but in most cases it needs be revealed
much as the sculptured figure is brought out from the block of marble.
Park lands, as Eliot points out, when first purchased are usually not
primeval forest but ugly conglomeration of vacant lots, pastures,
fields, abandoned gardens, and to-be-demolished houses. A great deal
of intelligence must be brought to the task of converting such a hodge-
podge into an engaging landscape. The " shaping of natural land-
scape to the enjoyment of man " involves questions of composition
and design almost too technical and complicated to discuss specifically,
and the best general direction which may be given is the rule-of-thumb
one that the natural landscape be so adjusted and re-shaped as to
provide a multiplicity of scenes which will appeal to the landscape
painter or photographer.
Practically all natural features should be preserved, especially in
connection with rivers and streams, and their possibilities made the
most of. Streams previously considered as unsightly may be improved
by shrubbery planting, their banks broken with occasional beaches,
and even marsh wastes and former dumping grounds may be reclaimed
from pollution and transformed into scenes of beauty, as demonstrated
in the Boston Fenway. Occasionally the park designer is granted
waterfalls and cascades, or grade possibility of obtaining them, which
provide the scene with active interest and permit picturesque landscape
treatment. An aim in shaping the landscape of a large park is to
obtain variety; and, insofar as possible, there may be a succession of
meadows, hills and dales, so arranged and framed as to provide
pleasant contrast and varied character.
Opportunities for obtaining extensive views of distant scenery, or
bird's-eye panorama of the park itself, may be found if there are com-
paratively high elevations within the park. Ridges terminating in
abrupt rocky points, or rugged spurs wliich at first seem impossi})le to
126
imm^ifW^T^m
An obstacle in landscape design always results in
increased beauty if properly handled
FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA
Our national recreation parks abound tvith sublime
monuments to call men forth to the wonder places of God
GEYSER IN YELLOWSTONE PARK
Many natural features of topography are soul inspiring.
Included in great parks, they ivill serve for the recreation
of present and future generations
SHOSHONE RESERVATION, WYO:\IING
RECREATION PARKS
make contribute to park beauty because trees or otber plant growth
cannot secure a foothold there, often are found to command extensive
views, and are rare opportunities for development as look-off points.
ARTIFICIAL ATTRACTIONS
The next step following adequate development of all natural
features of interest is the introduction in the park of certain artificial
features to augment its invitation and aid in attaining uniformity of
its use. In the choice of such features of interest the park builder is
offered a wide range of possibilities. It may be helpful to present an
inventory of these, reserving for discussion the particular ones which
are of special value in relation to the general design of a park or in
their individual aspect. There may be enumerated architectural
motifs of tea houses and refectories, shelters, pavilions, ornithological
and pathological exhibits, horticultural houses, zoological and botanical
gardens, music courts and concert gardens, opportunities for roller
and ice skating, for aquatic sports, toboggan slides for adults and
sliding hills for children, hippodromes, drill fields, baseball diamonds,
football fields, golf links, game courts of all kinds, and semi-natural
features such as grottos and cascades, water gardens, lotus and lily
ponds, deer preserves, picnic groves, and accessories for the special
amusement of children, such as ponies and donkeys and the goat
wagons which they hail with delight.
This list of features is so extensive that, if included in any one
park, it would transform it almost into the character of an " amuse-
ment " park, not to be confused with a recreation park. In Berlin is
exhibited a noisy collection of merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, side
shows and other beach resort and circus appurtenances, all labelled
under the head of "America Park." It is for the landscape designer
to determine what features may be incorporated in a beautiful park
without changing it into an edition of Coney Island. Features which
130
raw
A walk may he made a park feature in itself , Junctional
without having destination
EL PROMENADO, LIMA, PERU
RECREATION PARKS
submit visitors to unnecessary annoyance in the way of noise should be
tabooed, and also the features prevalent in amusement parks which
subject visitors to a constant temptation to spend money. A recrea-
tion park must have sufficient of interest to forestall such remarks as
" It's a big place but nothing special there," without by any possibility
offering such a multiplicity of features as to become wearisome and
confusing, and to register as a beach resort or amusement park.
APPROPRIATE BUILDINGS
Exhibits in parks should be limited to those that relate directly to,
or serve the interests of, the park. Ornithological and entomological
collections are very pertinent interests in parks, herbarium collections
properly displayed would undoubtedly attract the attention of many,
and a complete exhibition of tree pathology, including display of
modern scientific methods of tree surgery, can prove of very real
interest, as evidenced by the popular exhibition in the j)ublic park at
Greensboro, N. C. Such exhibits suitable for parks are not as ex-
pensive to get together as would be supposed, and are vastly more
appropriate in such location than historical or art collections for which
civic museums have usually already been provided.
In the design of all park buildings there should be main-
tained as park-like character as possible. The architecture of tea
houses and refectories should be of an open-air type, not meaning, by
that, fragile rustic construction, but more the sort of architecture
which has been developed in connection with country clubs, as for
example that at Norfolk, Va. Architectural suggestions for shelters
and pavilions in tlie parks may be found among the beautiful garden
houses that adorn many old parks and gardens in Europe, and some
of our own fine gardens. The minor shelters, of which there should be
many, may occasionally be constructed in rustic material, particularly
when given a picturesque setting in odd places among trees and foliage.
132
Picturesque embellishment of various kinds is suitable
in a recreation park. Minor shelters may be con-
structed in rustic material
GRANT PARK, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
RFXREATION PARKS
Shelters in more formal placing which refer directly to lines of the
plan must, especially wheii of focal value, he designed with recognised
architectural dignity. As discussed in the chapter upon Architecture
in Parks, the buildings in very large parks, when unaffected by near-
ness of other architecture, may be permitted a certain freedom and
picturesqueness of style, though never to the point of appearing fan-
tastical or grotesque, or suggesting the abandonment of architectural
style altogether. The larger buildings for park purposes should
always be of a permanent material and of worthy design, and never
the cheaper sort of wooden building, excused as being temporary, that
remains for all time detrimental to the character of the park.
"GARDEN" UNITS
Zoological gardens, when included in parks, should be arranged
so as to have real landscape value, embellishing rather than destroying
the extensive area they necessarily occupy. The zoological gardens in
the Borghese Park in Rome and one in Verona show an arrangement
of animal exhibits in a naturalistic setting that both increases their
educational value and is in harmony with j)ark development. The
National Zoological Garden in Washington is semi-naturalistic in the
placing of the different exhibits, but many cages are conspicuously
retained and arranged in some respects as to still suggest the circus.
In the parks of small cities without possibility of zoological collections,
there may be introduced one or two zoological features, such as sea
lion basins, a bear pit as at Berne, Switzerland, or open-air aviaries
that will not require extensive knowledge and expense in up-keep.
Deer preserves in large parks might well become again the feature
they used to be on private estates, such as may still be seen at
Mt. Vernon. Flocks of grazing sheep, as in Franklin Park in Boston,
serve as a pictures(]ue and interesting note in a park landscape, and in
134
Concert gardens may he given semi-naturalistic setting
and are especially interesting when located 7iear
botanical or zoological gardens
ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, LEIPSIC
RECREATION PARKS
Wasliington have been found to be of especial value in keeping the
polo fields well cropped.
Botanical gardens are more difficult than zoological gardens to make
a part of parks, the demands of plant identification and orderly display
being incompatible often with landscape design and composition. It
is best to keep them a separate feature from park design, as the Jardin
des Plantes, in Paris. The Kew Garden in England is more of an
arboretum than a botanical garden, which allows greater leeway of
landscape design and should not be confused with the true interpreta-
tion of a botanical garden. The introduction of botanical gardens in
park areas, unless the areas are so very extensive that land may be
contributed without appreciable loss, must be regarded with doubt,
for, like playgrounds and " recreation centres," the chances are that
they will absorb ratlier than embellish the park land.
A MUSIC CONCOURSE
Music pavilions and concert courts should be considered as indis-
pensable to all large parks ; they should be designed as an integral part
of the park, located with reference both to acoustic and landscape char-
acter of the surroundings, and placed to serve as large a number of
people as possible. There may be an extensive entourage of prome-
nades and walks with seats to provide for the comfort of the many
people who attend the concerts. The regular Sunday afternoon con-
cert in the Public Garden on the Pincian Hill in Rome, and that given
in Hyde Park in London, have become institutions of those parks, and
great congregations of people gather on foot, in carriages, and auto-
mobiles to enjoy them. In many European parks the concert feature
is frequently combined with al fresco restaurants where the people
gather while listening to the concerts, sometimes furnished daily by the
lessees of the restaurants. In the zoological garden at Leipsic there is
a curious combination of open-air restaurant and music concourse over-
13f)
Band concerts always prove a mecca of park interest.
Let them be held at a comfortable walking distance
from the park entrance
CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE
RECREATION PARKS
looking in one direction a horticultural display, in the other a zoological
collection so arranged that the lions are viewed apparently at liberty
in a naturalistic scene, with seal and water-fowl sporting in a lagoon
in the foreground. The effect as a whole is somewhat theatrical but
not displeasing.
PARADE GROUNDS AND GAME FIELDS
Parade and drill grounds are a suitable adjunct of the parks of our
larger cities and we may safely anticipate demand for them. The field
for military jumping in the jDublic park at Florence is a feature of
fascinating interest and, even when not in use, contributes to the park
character. The many hippodromes of Italy vary in type from the
simple race-track idea in the Cascine Park at Florence to the more
elegant one of the Borghese Garden so often illustrated. The famous
hippodrome at Torino built in the time of Xapoleon expresses more
the idea of a stadium. That at Milan is unique for the grass prome-
nade of the upper level, boasting a double row of full-grown shade trees.
Fields for active recreation, limited to the sort of sports which do
not require supervision and attendants, may be provided for as a part
of the general park layout. The fields for baseball should include
permanently-laid-out diamonds, football fields should be provided with
proper goal posts, and there may well be some inconspicuous arrange-
ment of low bleachers in each case. Game courts should be as care-
fully designed and completely equijDped as those on club grounds,
never located haphazard, but made to relate to the general design both
in line and placing. Golf also is a very proper adjunct of commodious
parks. In Riverside Park, Indianapolis, there are three golf coiu'ses,
two eighteen-hole and one nine-hole, showing how quickly the public
takes to that form of sport. Ex-President Taft writes of golf: " It is
an admirable form of exercise, it is consistent with social enjoyment, it
trains one in self-respect, it introduces one to nature in most attractive
138
The European nations justify large park areas by
utilising them for sueh military and official purposes
as do not conflict tvith park character
HIPPODROME, BORGHESE GARDEN, ROME
RECREATION PARKS
form. It has no bad results except that in the outset it may tempt to
profanity." Golf, tennis and cricket are all desirable forms of park
recreation, and areas maj^ advantageously be provided for them in the
park layout.
WATER AND ICE SPORTS
Aquatic sports with proper provision of boathouses and landings,
in addition to bathing-beach facilities, should be made a part of large
parks whenever possible, details of which are discussed in other
chapters.
It should not be overlooked that parks are for service throughout
the entire year, and provisions should be made for winter sports
whenever practicable. The toboggan slide in Franklin Park, Boston,
is in constant demand when in condition, and skating parties and skat-
ing festivals are popular in all parks where provision is made for them
and the season permits. There should not be overlooked the setting
apart of certain hills and slopes where the children may slide. In the
congestion of city streets, and even in the suburbs, sliding is a danger-
ous sport for the children; and though such use of park slopes will
occasionally cut through the snow and leave ugly scars in the turf to
mar its beauty the following summer, it is not unreasonable, if the
slopes are in a conspicuous position, to make their re-grassing each
spring a recognised part of park maintenance.
Roller skating, in both summer and winter, is a healthful sport,
and a skating circle should be provided in the parks instead of the
frequent signs prohibiting roller skating on the park walks. There is
a semi-public rink in the Tennis Club Ground of the Public Garden at
Naples, and a public one in the little town of Parma near Bologna.
The latter is located in the midst of a formal park treatment, con-
structed of cement and railed around, furnished with seats and sup-
plemented with a booth where skates may be rented. In Reading,
140
An equestrian field is an interesting adjunct of a large
park. In Washington, numerous jumps are being
added to the bridle paths
CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE
Bmaa
RECREATION PARKS
Pemisylvania, is a park roller-skating rink which may be flooded as an
ice rink in winter, making an admirable arrangement. Such public
rinks, located if possible in the vicinity of the park band-stand, are
sure to be patronised in large nmnbers, thus increasing the park
efficiency.
DISTRIBUTION OF PARK FEATURES AND TRANSPORTATION
In regard to location of recreation features, the esj^ecial one w^hich
is considered to be the main drawing card should, if possible, be put at
the centre of the park so as to be equally accessible from all entrances.
If the park is very large, the majority of recreation features may be
located in respect to the one or more entrances at not more than the
maximum distance of comfortable walk for the average pedestrian.
Natural features, such as look-off points, waterfalls and cascades,
gorges, springs, and places of historical interest within the park, and
to some extent the various created points of interest which have been
enmiierated, are not susceptible of location and often fall beyond
reasonable walking distance. In such case, unless large portions of
the park are to serve only those who drive, some form of transporta-
tion needs to be provided. A great hullabaloo is always raised against
the introduction of busses or narrow gauge railways within parks as
destroying naturalistic character. A park is for the use of the people,
however, and it does not accomplish that purpose if limited to the use of
a few. Moreover, a transportation line may be introduced in a park
without destroying beauty of landscape character. Every part of the
Tiergarten in Berlin is accessible by bus or trolley without the beauty
of the park suffering. The island park INIargit at Budapest is served by
a narrow gauge horse-car line that is a convenience without being con-
spicuous or destroying park character. The real reason why such lines
are objectionable, and have sometimes been removed, is that the need
of them has been discovered as an after condition, and their course has
142
an
mmmam
ca
The resumption of horse-car lines in parks will provide
cheap conveyance for those unable to ivalk to the various
points of interest without introducing the prevalent
tension of getting somewhere in a hurry
MARGIT PARK, BUDAPEST
RECREATION PARKS
been laid out on the principle that a straight line is the shortest dis-
tance between two points. A landscape designer, given transporta-
tion as one of the fundamental requirements of his park problem, can
so locate the necessary lines as to be hardly noticeable to pedestrians
or those driving, carrying the lines within reach of all desired points,
and even furnishing them with considerable incidental beauty en route.
RESTFUL RATHER THAN STIMULATING
The general character of recreation parks is best not showy in the
sense of being formal. An extensive scheme of great regularity,
exhibiting preponderance of axial lines, focal points, and formal vistas
is unsuitable for the purpose, as being incompatible with the idea of
relaxation and let-down. A serene naturalistic effect is most to be
desired, the result of, rather than the evidence of, man's handiwork.
The design should be laid out so as to appear orderly, leading the
visitor in an assured fashion to the different points of interest, conduct-
ing him to them in succession, without radical change of direction or
apparent retracing of steps. The walks or roadways which he follows
should always hold points of interest ahead, and the reward should be
sufficiently frequent to prevent thought of fatigue. This is the
strongest point in recreation park design to be recognised, and too
great emphasis cannot be put upon it. One obtains rest and recrea-
tion, often not so much by complete cessation of physical and mental
activity as by moderate exercise with complete change of thought. A
park which wuU hold a person's attention so completely and lead him
from one point to another so gently that he feels no conscious effort
will rest him in mind and body, and bring him true recreation.
Such a restful park proved to be the one at Hof. The gravest
criticism against it was its entrance, so hidden away up a side street
that the stranger discovers it purely by chance. It is not a pretentious
park ; some persons would call it common-place if not shabby, but that
144
Social parades may take place irith more salnbrious
effect in the freedom of a recreation park than along
the usual city avenues
HYDE PARK, LONDON
RECREATION PARKS
is as one may view it. It has been built for the enjoyment of a httle
commmiity of people, common-place folk, maybe, who go there in the
late afternoons and evenings and Sundays to loiter among its shady
walks, to meet their friends and neighbours, to enjoy the wholesome
pleasures that may be obtained there.
A MODEST EXAMPLE FOR SMALL CITIES
The main driveway leads one to an open place at no great distance
from the gate, where is located a small open-air restaurant together
with a modest music pavilion. Many inviting walks lead from this, all
of them in much the same general direction, offering the visitor variety
in point-de-depart without possibility of missing the point-d'arrivce.
This alternative in choice of walk recurs to the very end of the long,
narrow strip of land which constitutes the park, and thus one finds that
on his return route he may in part regain the portions of paradise he
had feared to lose at the start.
The general w\ay leads the visitor by a succession of gardens and
enclosed lawns, embellished with lily ponds and simple fountains, allur-
ing him to stay at every point. After many such intermediate places of
interest he comes at the far end to The Labyrinth, a happy misnomer,
as the walks leading within, though somewhat labyrinthine, do not
terminate in cul-de-sacs, or torture the visitor with confusing turns
and windings leading nowhere, but take him quite directly to a " ruin "
at the centre, fashioned on a rocky eminence from which may be viewed
a charming panorama of the countryside. The visitor lingers there
unconscious of lapse of time, entranced with the pastoral beauty of
scene, desirous to return before he has left.
One feels no oppression of distance on the way back, but ctnitinually
tarries, allowing his journey to be retarded by the park development
all along the way. Even within sight of the entrance he welcomes
opportunity to loiter in a little terraced garden, which is so humble in
146
Ponies and goat wagons for hire will attract the children
to the parks, a better place of diversion for them than
the foul-air " movies "
SEMI-PUBLIC PARK, JACKSONVILLE
RECREATION PARKS
its design of flowers and fountain as to have utterly escaped notice
upon his entrance to the park so short a time before.
A visit within the peaceful atmosphere of this park transports one
from the din and turmoil of troublesome existence, creates a new vision,
instills afresh momentary thoughts of the beautiful in a world oppressed
and harassed with battle cries and sounds of strife. The village park
of Hof may not shine in comparison with great show parks of royal
palaces, it may not stand the test of academic design, but in bringing
relaxation to the harried visitor, and offering rest to those tired in mind
and body, the park at Hof is worthy of bountiful praise. There are
none of the great avenues of Schonbrunn, no chateau d'eau as at
Versailles, no clipped trees, no statues and fountains as at Hampton
Court, merely the quiet, restful features designed to promote recrea-
tion,— designed in scale with the lives of the people there. It is the
spirit of such parks that we should try to emulate in the building of
recreation parks in this country.
*"' "" "^ ^" 'I III n^tmMm4hmtsmtKiSmmJISlit^^
Royal parks arc best visited, admired and pleasurably
remembered, but not copied in spirit or form in our
republican parks
PARK AT SCHONBRUNN, VIENNA
CHAPTER VII
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
NOW that we have playgrounds in America, what are we going to do
with them ? Meaning, by that, liow are we to treat them in design?
An undesigned playground suggests too much the usual spectacle of
vacant lot, and an over-designed playground is like a children's play-
room furnished in gilt or mahogany in which the child is too ill at ease
to play or will commit damage if he does.
When playgrounds first appeared in our midst they entered like a
lamb, and were turned to graze in some park corner. Now, behold!
they have become as a raging lion, and are about to devour the entire
park areas. Not that everyone is not in favour of giving the children a
place in which to play, but their bedlam is a bit disturbing to one seek-
ing rest and quiet in a park, and then again, one doesn't want an entire
house converted into a nursery. On shipboard the children are con-
fined to certain decks, unless accompanied by their parents, with the
exception of German steamship lines on which the passengers confine
themselves to their staterooms, — ^and use more discretion in selecting
passage the next time.
PLAYGROUNDS ENDANGER PARKS
In Washington, a temporary grant was given for the location of
a wading pool and some few pieces of playground apparatus in one of
the old established parks ; and in an incredibly short time, the appear-
ance of that entire park became as though the seventh year had
arrived, — the grass disappeared, and the walk lines multiplied, and
the flowering shrubs acquired queer mutilated shapes. The park
superintendent, after several Samaritan attempts at resuscitation, went
by on the other side with face averted, and devoted himself the more
assiduously to the other parks in his care. It may be accepted as
150
Shade and opeii area are all that the European child
needs for play. He does not expect to be amused
KINDERPARK, VIENNA
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
axiomatic that a playground given one inch in a pubhc park will take
an ell, — and in time the remainder of the park.
What is the solution? Public sentiment demands playgrounds and
public purse-strings are drawn against the purchase of areas for their
development. There is always unanimous protest against the placing
of public buildings in park areas, but what is saved from the politician
is delivered as spoil to the child. The answer is the well-known one of
the sagacious lawyer: compromise. Establish a " dead line ": on this
side, park; on that side, playground. The landscape designer, working
with such idea in mind, can render the arbitrary line so integral a part
of the general park design that picket duty will not be necessary. In
the particular park mentioned which had become the despair of the
park superintendent, a new landscape design was devised which
assigned special well demarked areas to the children, confined by
hedges and other planting. Within this area was grouped all the
apparatus and equipment for the children's play, and made so inter-
esting from the child's standpoint in contrast with the rest of the park
that it became a hardship for him to play elsewhere than where he was
desired. The remainder of the park was immediately freed from
depredation and has been restored to its former beauty for the enjoy-
ment of the grown-ups seeking recreation there.
MIGHT OVER RIGHT
The fundamental reason why playgrounds seek to establish them-
selves upon park areas is that land there need not be purchased but
may be obtained by right of might in almost any city. There are
innumerable other areas equally serviceable for playground purposes.
The objection that most alternative sites, proposed in lieu of existing
park areas, are poorly located seems unfounded ; or is there an extra-
ordinary coincidence that parks in every case have been located exactly
in the one spot suitable for playgrounds? It seems comparatively
152
, - xt li tJK^ ■• 3 ;af^
Gire a child an open field cimck-full of air and sun-
shine, and he will burst into play icithout the aid of
a playground instructor
HUMBOLDT WOOD, BERLIN
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
easj' to find areas suitable for new parks when the purehase price is
available, and indubitably it is the free land rather than the park land
which causes playgrounds to covet park locations.
The requisites of an area suitable for playgrounds are but two,
anipleness and shade. Even these factors are not as important as one
would think, for shade can be provided by inexpensive shelters and
the largest playgrounds are not always the most efficient or popular.
Landscape planting, such as may exist in coveted park areas, is not
essentially an advantage, for with the advent of large numbers of
children, the naturalistic beauty of a park is soon worn off like the
paint from a new toy. Converting a park into a playground is like
changing horses in midstream: the park frequently is lost before the
playground is obtained.
Beauty of natural surroundings is not of special value to a pro-
posed playground. In the Washington case already mentioned, the
section of park allotted eventually to the playground was an area con-
sidered previously the least desirable due to the nearness of a railroad
yard, necessarily noisy and unsightly. This area for playground pur-
poses, however, satisfied all requirements. It may be stated positively,
therefore, that areas of scenic or landscape beauty are in that respect
wasted when given over to playgrounds ; and it may also be stated that
if a park rib must be sacrificed for the creation of a playground, the
poorest rib will do.
PERMISSIBLE IN LARGE PARKS
While playgrounds in small parks are a devastation and a sacrilege,
playgrounds in parks of amj^le area are not necessarily so, provided
the condition be inexorably imposed that the playgroimds shall not
trespass beyond certain defined limits and shall })e installed according
to a fixed design acceptable to the park. They should never be allowed
to edge their way in, for that will mean the development of conditions
154
Extensive areas for boyhood sports instead of plaij-
ground gijmnasiums is the German method of developing
their youth
SPORTPLATZ, DRESDEN
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
which at a later time will have to be rectified. Children at play in a
park may be one of the attractions, — provided they are not allowed to
become one of the distractions. Play fields and playsteads, in dis-
tinction from what are known as organised playgrounds, are not anni-
hilative. There may be also many sequestered spots scattered through-
out the parks, as so frequently done in Germany, furnished with
seesaws and sand-piles for the amusement of the small children, where
the grown-up visitors frequently congregate to watch the children at
play. Unfortunately, we find that the larger parks in which organised
playgrounds would be the least objectionable as to encroachment are
rarely desirable for playgroimd purposes, because usually at some
distance from the centre of congested districts where playgrounds are
most needed. It is on the small park areas existing in these congested
districts that the pressure for playgrounds usually comes. There
should be a united movement against their swarming there and a din
raised for the purchasing of new areas instead.
COOPERATION Of^ PARK OFFICIALS
The impression that park authorities are invariably opposed to
playgrounds will be removed if such authorities will lend their aid in
the acquisition of new land and at the same time show their willingness
to admit playgrounds into the very large parks where there may be
ample area for their accommodation. The park authorities should
take an active interest in the construction of playgrounds, even when
the playgrounds are not to be connected directly with the park.
Especially should the park designer be called upon for contribution of
his skill and taste in the physical shaping of playgrounds. When the
playground is to be one with a park, the first duty of the landscape
designer will be, as already pointed out, to impose definite limits,
defining the playground so as to permit no possibility of future en-
croachment on the park. Beyond that, his service may be purely to
156
The love of sailing boats is common to the children of
all countries. Let them use the park fountains to their
hearts* content and ice ivont need so many playgrounds
PUBLIC GARDEN. MILAN
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
suggest, — in a sense advisory to tlie playground director. He will
find himself endowed somewhat with the prerogatives of a censor, for
an ill-considered design of playground may he urged hy liim as an
added reason for its disassociation from park areas. It usually develops
that the suggestions of the park designer are w'elcome and his services
are availed of to the full by those laying out the playgrounds both to
harmonise the playgrounds with the parks and to render the play-
grounds agreeable in aspect.
DESIGN OF PLAYGROUNDS
There is a large range of design possible in the development of
playgrounds, dependent upon the form and extent of the area avail-
able. It is appropriate that the playgrounds be given what is known
as formal design, meaning by that an arrangement in which the lines
are well radicated and positive. Such an arrangement is most eco-
nomical of space and suggests the idea of orderliness in the mind of
the child. A generous open space should be left at the centre for free
movement and general play, and such disposition of the remaining
area may 'be made as will meet the desire of the playground supervisor.
The apparatus had best be so arranged as to be under the observation
of the attendant at all times. Various game courts may be provided,
depending upon the area of the playground. The introduction of a
wading or swimming pool is usually considered desirable. The in-
clusion of gymnasium apparatus will depend upon the scojdc of the
individual playground and again be subject to the wishes and will of
the playground director.
While a playground should not be confused with a park, there is no
doubt there is a close relationship betw^een them, for an isolated play-
gi'ound may be given a palpable park character without prejudicing
its purpose. An illustration of what may be done along this hue may
be seen in Willow Tree Alley playground in AVashington. This was
158
Kvest: ^)i^ £'.: -'SLitiSit^j--'.'
Playgrounds had best be designed and constnicted in
a durable fashion; accordijig to present indications
they're to be a Jong time here
GARFIELD PARK PLAYGROUND, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
a special project of Mrs. Wilson's to transform the central portion of
certain blocks in slum districts into interior playgrounds which should
have a park character insofar as practicable. An excerpt from the
author's report on the project bearing on the matter of the planting
is quoted:
" The problem of developing the Interior Park at Willow Tree Alley has been
considered primarily from the standpoint of up-keep and maintenance. Ex-
perience in other Washington parks has taught that planting in a locality of
this kind unless protected from depredation — not only when first planted but
even after it has become established — will almost immediately be rendered un-
sightly, and in the course of two or three years become practically erased. On
the other hand, it is impossible to give a park-like character to any design with-
out a considerable amount of planting; and vegetation for beauty and shade
is the one element of park design which cannot be eliminated. Therefore it
becomes necessary in this case to make use of planting in a restricted sense, and'
in such a way that it may be protected from depredation.
" It is proposed to develop this area as a combination of recreation park and
playground. The central portion is to be kept open, outlined and framed in
with a belt of trees and shrubbery. A row of Lombardy poplars at each end,
planted very closely together in a line, will furnish the vertical element of the
design and the remainder of the planting space will be filled in with a collection
of flowering trees and shrubs, with occasional shade trees overshadowing the
walk lines, and intermediate groups of evergreens for enrichment of the plant-
ing during the winter months. The effectiveness of the entire design will depend
upon the luxuriousness and density of this plantation, and for that reason it is
proposed to enclose the areas as shown with a picket fence of sufficient height
to render this area impossible of trespass. Broad entrances at each side of the
park will lead through this planting screen to the interior portion, which will
be encompassed by a cement walk at the outer edge. The central portion will
be left bare of planting except for the two formal groves shown on the plan,
which will be provided with play tables and sand-boxes for the younger children
frequenting this park.
" All planting could well be put in of a fairly mature size in order to give an
immediate effect, and it is reconmiended that the twelve trees of the play groves
160
Park treatment for playgrounds may be maintained
only behind' picket fences
WILLOW TREE ALLEY PLAYGROUND, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)
i
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
be large transplanted specimens so as to afford the benefit of considerable shade
at the outset. As an added feature of landscape interest, there lias been in-
cluded in the plan a small sunken flower garden which will come within the
fenced-in area. This may be left open, if found practicable, but if necessarily
closed, may still be overlooked from the playground walk bordering it on one
side."
The foregoing is applicable to the planting problem of most play-
grounds. The illustration shows how much may be accomplished in
giving a park-like character to an otherwise bare playground, without
in any way interfering with its utility.
PLAY AREAS AND PLAYGARDENS
The German cities seem to have handled the matter of play areas
with the least apparent or conscious effort. As already mentioned,
they have a habit of assigning all unused or left-over corners in the
parks to sand areas for the children, which they screen off from the
rest of the park and furnish with ample number of seats for those
accompanying the children. In this country we are coming more and
more to provide sand boxes throughout the parks in a somewhat similar
fashion, but the tendency is to place the sand box in the most con-
spicuous place rather than in the least noticeable.
Especially commendable and noteworthy in the German parks are
what are designated as Spielplatz and Kindergartens. The Spielplatz
are merely open areas, sometimes in gravel, frequently in grass when
the area is large enough to serve more as an open field, and the children
may be seen there playing familiar games, the sort that are gotten up
on the spin' of the moment and require no apparatus other than the
nimble limbs and wits of the children playing. In addition to this
there has been developed the charming idea of the Kindergarten, de-
signed expressly for the children, in which grown-ups are not allowed
to enter unless accompanied by a child. This restriction is not rigidty
162
Whafs a sand-box compared to a sand-hill in the mind
of a child ? Such a spot ivould redeem any park and
need not be surrounded icith pergolas and fine fixings
like the ''sand-courts" in many of our playgrounds
FRIEDRICH WOOD, BERLIN
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
adhered to, but could well be, as is the case at the Easter Egg Rolling
for the Washington children on the White House lawn. There is a
beautifully designed kindergarten connected with the folkgarten in
Vienna where the children seem to be absolutely in charge insofar as
offensive restrictions are observable; the Children's Garden in Berlin,
presented to them by the present Kaiser, is a joy even to grown-ups
w^ho still believe in fairies ; and there comes to mind a little garden in
Diisseldorf just overflowing with bloom at all seasons of the year which
has evidently been designed for the children if the fantastic character
of the garden seats and the great number of children always to be found
there may be taken as an indication.
Children in far countries seem to know better how to play than they
do in this country, and do not seem to make such an effort over it. They
enjoy immensely the open areas provided for them without demanding
so much in the way of special apparatus and what we know as play-
ground equipment. They also are brought up to appreciate that
parks are made for their enjoyment instead of for their depredation,
and we find them amusing themselves in a quiet, harmless fashion,
never interfering with the enjoyment of the other users of the park.
Anyone who has ever seen the continuous congregation of children in
the Luxembourg Garden at Paris playing about the Great Basin there,
or has watched the little Italian boys and girls amusing themselves in
the public garden at Milan, wonders why here in America we nuist
have such scientific provision for child play, sucli extensive organisation
and equipment. There are some few of us that managed to come up
fairly w^ell and have very distinct memories of play long before the
present style of playgrounds was ever heard of.
PLAY FACILITIES FOR GROWN-UPS
Of greater importance in connection with park facilities appears
to be the matter of playgrounds for grown-ups who may have for-
164
There may he features introduced in parks to delight
the soul of the child unthout changing the park character
HOFGARTEN, DUSSELDORF
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
gotten how to play. Even after a man acquires a score or more of
years, he can enjoy a more active recreation than viewing park scenery
or admiring the beauty of blooming shrubs and flowers. Give him a
tennis racket or opportunity for the less strenuous game of golf, and
if he be not too aged let him know that there are idle ball fields awaiting
his will, and soon we may find the grown-ups keeping active inde-
pendently of elaborate and expensive " recreation centres."*
The English game of cricket could well be introduced into this
country, and could be made a part of our larger park designs. In
college circles, there is the game of lacrosse, an enjoyable sport both
to watch and to participate in, which can be played on any level park
area of adequate size. The bowling green was once an institution in
America, as evidenced by the name that still clings to the portion of
Battery Park in New York City where that outdoor game was played.
The game of pallone is a favourite one in Italy, and may be found in
progress late in the afternoon in a great many of its parks. The
illustration shows the game being played in a pallone court provided
in the Lizzi Park in Siena, which park was converted from an old
fortress, and is not great in extent. The value of game facilities for
grown-ups will be found to be A^ery great, and there is none of the
objection to their introduction in parks that exists in the case of
children's playgrounds.
Game courts well designed and intelligently placed in relation to
park design do not detract from the beauty of the park ; and if given
the decorative treatment frequently accorded them on private estates
they may be made to serve as a veiy potent element of park embellish-
ment. It may be noted in the illustration of the pallone-court in
Siena that a very incisive design has been obtained by the proper
distribution of trees and seats in relation to the already existing but-
tress walls. The tennis courts in European parks are always developed
*See page 116.
166
EB^HB^f^s
Give the grown-ups a chance icith tennis and other game
courts in the parks. There are none of us too old to pJaij
PALLONE COURT, LIZZI PARK, SIENA
PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS
in a very decorative way, usually in connection with a tennis house.
Unfortunately the tendency there is to place them under the direction
of private clubs, as at Naples and Florence, which deducts that much
park area from the use of the public. Such isolation is not necessary,
as we have many instances in this country where separate tennis courts
are made an integral part of the park. In Washington, tennis courts
have been used both in groups and as separate units with ornamental
effect. A game court given a proper landscape setting may become a
meritorious adjunct to any park, augmenting its interest without
detracting from its beauty.
PARK ECONOMY
The cost of maintenance of game courts should not deter park
authorities from incorporating them in park design. Aside from the
initial expense, which is not unreasonable if considered as a part of
the development of the park as a whole, the slight additional cost of
the park maintenance is more than compensated for in the increased
interest which will be shown by the residents, — which means increased
support for park projects.
Playgrounds are a park economj\ The observation was made in
Washington that when playgrounds were provided in a neighbourhood
the cost of up-keep of the small parks in that neighbourhood was con-
siderably lessened; in other words, if the youngsters are occupied in
legitimate play in a supervised playground they have less time to be
up to mischief in demolishing parks of the neighbourhood. This fact,
however, is not an argument in favour of including playgroimds in
parks. They are a foreign element, distiu'bing and incompatible.
Attempted amalgamation between parks and playgrounds results
always in the annihilation of one, which in the j^^^ist has never proven
to be that of the playground.
I
Play and display ivill not fraicrnise. Not a shrub or
flower could survive in this park until a portion of it
icas converted into a playground. A playground on
some other area i)i the same neighbourhood would have
served to equal purpose
VIRGINIA AVENUE PARK, WASHINGTON
(Before the inclusion of a playground)
CHAPTER VIII
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS
' T I TORINO is conspicuous among the cities of Italy for the
JL regularity of its construction and for the number of its
monmnents."
Observe the naive way in which Baedeker's guide book employs
that word " conspicuous." The city is not described as being famous
or celebrated or well known for its monuments, but merely conspicuous.
Yet in a following paragraph we read: " Torino is noted for vermouth
and caramels " ; in other words, its fame has spread abroad from the
least conspicuous of its products. The same is true of park design.
A i^ark may be conspicuous for the multiplicity of its memorial statues,
but it will be noted and famed for the character of its fountains, its
belle vistas, and its shady walks.
Nothing is so aggravating to a visitor in a park as to follow an
ingratiating walk leading apparently to an especially fine bit of park
beauty only to wind up, face to face, with a portrait statue, for which
the most that can be said is " Erected in 18 — ." Who is responsible
for leaving these monstrosities exposed? Why are they not put in a
Salon des Independants as at Paris, or in a Hall of Horrors as in the
Washington Capitol, or decently interned as at the Campo Santo at
Genoa. There is an especially lovely drive in the Cascine Park at
Florence known as the Viale del Re, the King's Way. This beautiful
drive presents to the visitor a continuously changing scene of alternat-
ing woodland and water views, glimpses of recreation grounds, tennis
courts, and gardens. A hippodrome and cyclodrome are located along
this driveway, an army jumping field attracts interest even when not
in use, and there are all sorts of fountains and unique-looking shelters
and what-not to enhance the interest of this drive. And then at the
far, far end where one expects to find the pot of gold, there is lodged
170
m^^i^SiWii^W^'y----^-^' •- •''■ *^
'i iiiiiiiiii;:-;:!!!!'|"niiu ,
M ■ JL-
" Isn't this a dainty dish to set before the kiug?'' Statue
terminating the Viale del Re {The King's JVay)
CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS
in the rightful place of some choice example of landscape art a curi-
ously wrought, hedecked and hedizened panoplied statue of — hut no
one is interested in knowing what it is of. The illustration of it is
sufficient.
HERO WORSHIP VERSUS PARK IDEALS
In America, we have the horrid habit of placing an equestrian
statue to some war hero or other in the exact centre of every park,
making it the pivotal point of the park like the pin of a pin-wheel. As
a forerunner of this, the design of new parks very frequently takes a
radial form to provide for the future occupant, like preparing a tomb
against the inevitable day. It is hard to say in such case which is worse,
the park with the statue or the park in readiness for it. A radial design
without its central motive seems always held in suspense, and suggests
the house awaiting the tenant. The recognised circumstance that most
of our parks usually sooner or later "accept" a statue has resulted in
the perpetuation of the old geometrical pattern of the gardeners which
obviously provides a congenial lodging point at the centre for a monu-
ment. Those who have to use a park daily in passing to their work
and those obligated to keep up the appearance of such parks know that
a geometrical pattern of walk Hne provides little else than the afore-
mentioned site, and as for useful walks or lawns that can be kept from
trespass paths, such a design is worse than nil. Finally, and here is
another instance wherein the last argument might well be the first, a
park is a pai^h and should not he made into a setting for a statue. Even
a large jDark loses its peaceful character when garnished with bronze
warriors on rearing horses.
There are two expedients for eradicating or subordinating monu-
ments when they are not acceptable to a park development. First,
by educating the landscape architect to design new parks in such a
way that " conspicuous " monument sites will be exceedingly scarce;
secondly, by providing an alternative or substitute for the satis-
172
Dual statues, graceless in line and devoid of distinction^
are placed vis-a-vis as the sole emhellishment of this
Italian park area, — an example of even America out-
done in park prostitution
PIAZZA INDEPENDENZIA, FLORENCE
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS
faction of would-be donors. It is not difficidt for the designer of
new parks to eliminate statue sites, in fact it is usually a problem to
provide place for them. Except in the case of very formal axial
designs, the need of providing a site for a statue is usually a trying and
limiting condition. A memorial statue presented in advance of a park
development is a bete noir to the designer; presented afterwards it
changes, chameleon-like, to a white elephant. In most cities and towns
very much better sites can be found either at street intersections or in
open squares where the statues may have mass value and focal interest
without detracting from park beauty. The sculptors may invariably
be depended upon to favour the election of street venues for their work.
The author of a recent statue in Washington fixed his choice imme-
diately and unreservedly upon a site terminating a street vista which
was in every other respect vastly inferior to several park sites offered
for his approval.
COMMENDABLE SUBSTITUTES FOR EFFIGIES
There are many better ways of perpetuating the virtue or glory
of an individual than by this physical form. Someone has said that it
is a common-place people who do not symbolise rather than record.
Let the G. A. R.'s and the D. A. R.'s and the S. A. R.'s be urged to
commemorate past greatness by fountains and water basins and garden
areas, which are sure to be gratifying to the toilers of to-day, rather
than to apotheosise their forebears in statue groups which too often
call forth little but facetiousness. In Washington a favourite sug-
gestion has gone the rounds that the nude female figure composing a
part of the pedestal relief of the Rochambeau statue, in presenting a
sword to Rochambeau, who stands with heavy army cape across his
arm, is saying, " I will swap you this sword for that cape," — an in-
dignity to a very well executed statue group, but one that is irrepres-
sible. William Howe Downes in a critical article on the monuments
174
m
A portrait statue is not indisputably the most appro-
priate memorial of a great man; and from the park
standpoint a fountain expresses the commemorative
ideal in more congruous form
THE BUTT-MILLET MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS
and statues of Boston complains likewise that " a very worthy work of
art may be made to seem absurd to the thoughtless by drawing atten-
tion to some minor fault in a detail which, once remarked, will forever
afterward thrust itself upon the attention with an insistence out of all
proportion to its real importance. So fond is the American of his
joke, and so indifferent is he to aesthetic questions, that he will remem-
ber a quip about a statue much longer than the statue itself."
The sculptor may be counted upon to cooperate in a change from
portraiture to allegory, for he will foresee and welcome greater freedom
of expression and interpretation of subject. He may soon and
speedily depart from the conscious austerity of many of our present
monuments, but the people will forgive a palpable leaning toward the
plastic ideal in sculpture in relief from the dreadful realism of portrait
statuary. JMoreover, the allegorical statue which uplifts the imagina-
tion or the symbolic representation which moulds and inspires is essen-
tially the only sculpture which may properly be admitted to park
retreats, — and then not to such extent as to jeopardise naturalistic
beauty. The figure of Peter Pan in the Kensington Gardens, London,
is appropriately set in the midst of fragrant verdure, but unfortunately
it fails " to transport us from the din and turmoil of this modern
existence," due to the awkward effort of the artist to visualise, in the
reliefs of the pedestal, the emotion which the spectator should be
privileged to experience voluntarily.
It would be a great forward step if the word " statue " in every
case could be changed to the word " memorial." How many cities
would not embrace the opportunity of obtaining richly designed gar-
dens or beautiful specimens of landscape art in exchange for several
of the statues they have on hand ? Take, as an example of what beau-
tiful effect may ])e obtained by harmonious composition of sculpture
and landscape architecture, the beautiful Medici Fountain in the
Luxembourg Gardens of Paris, a rare ornament for any city. Then
176
mmm
-J
RepUcas in our parks of the Marathon Runner, the
Discus Thrower or other examples of athletic prowess
would have a healthier inspirational value for the
American youth than the usual plethora of petrified
generals
SPORTPLATZ, DRESDEN
^i
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS
there is the Memorial Garden to Kaiserin Ehsabeth in Vienna, a very
lovely spot, so much like a private garden that one enters as though by
special privilege. We have read much of and seen much pictured the
Children's Fairy Garden, in the Friedrichshain, Berlin, with its foun-
tain and pool ornamented with fantastic statuettes of Red Riding
Hood, Puss in Boots, Hansel and Gretel, and other legendary figures.
Can one imagine this delightful garden replaced with a heroic com-
posite statue commemorating the writers of these children's tales by
personal image, recording the past instead of illuminating the future.
The Mac^NIillan Fountain in Washington and the Butt-lNIillet Me-
morial Fountain are each more eloquent tributes to the memory of
these men than would have been graven images of their likenesses.
In Boston, one of the walks of the Conmion has been named the
" Oliver Wendell Hohiies Walk," a suggestion that could well be
followed elsewhere, utilising memorial funds and appropriations in
the actual construction of parks rather than b}^ their subsequent usurp-
tion by monuments. The usual effigy should be banned from park
precincts.
STATUES TO SERVE AND NOT TO SUBJUGATE
In cases where portrait statues must arbitrarily be given places in
parks, especially in small parks, they should never be allowed to
dominate the design ; in other words, they should not be located at the
exact centre, especially in the case of newly-acquired parks. It should
not be taken for granted that statues shall form the central embellish-
ment of the areas. There is no doubt that the obtaining of a statue
hastens the improvement of park spaces, but the precedent should be
established of placing the potential statue in a sequestered corner,
never permitting it to occupy and devitalise the central portion of the
park area. A very happy location is often found as a part of the
entrance treatment to a park. In the Lizzi at Siena, and the Montag-
nola Park at Bologna, imj^osing equestrian statues dominate the en-
trance plazas, and we have St. Gaudens' statue of Sherman similarly
178
b^t^^i^-mjM^
i
A sfatiie is the climax of its snrroundijigs: a garden
is a refinement of the same area. The latter is less
forceful but more sensitive to the needs of the human heart
CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL GARDEN, BERLIN
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS
placed at the plaza entrance to Central Park. Statues thus located
seem to have a civic function, emphasising the approach to the park
and adding to its dignity rather than annihilating it. Statues may
often be made to take the form of exedras facing either on the street or
toward the park. Illustrations of the former are seen in the Shaw
Memorial facing the State House on Boston Common, or the Farragut
Statue in Madison Square, New York City. The new Barry Statue
in Washington is an example of a site facing the street, the landscape
background of which serves simultaneously as the outskirt planting of
the park. It would be a simple problem in design to compose similar
exedras facing into the park, becoming thereby a part of the screen
or framing of the park and not in themselves the dominating motive.
The location of the statue in the Giardino della Citta in Torino illus-
trates a site which attracts attention without demanding it, an ideal
condition. The arrangement of statues along the broad walk of the
Promenadeplatz, in Munich, shows how statues may be given suffi-
ciently prominent position without destroying the park value.
PARK DESIGN SUPREME
Parks at the time they are originally designed and laid out could
well show where the addition of sculpture would be acceptable to the
design. Sculptors find that a park not originally designed for a statue
does not afford agreeable setting for their work ; on the other hand, it is
impertinence for a sculptor to expect a park to be changed and laid out
anew for the reception of a statue. If the original design of a park is
so compromised that it becomes a setting for a statue it loses much of
its function as a park. This applies most forcibly to parks of small
size, but the smaller cities are apt to have small parks, and the larger
cities are so replete and overladen with statues and monuments that
even their large park areas become cluttered with them and diverted
from their true purpose and ideal. It will be a forward step when
180
It is to he wished that we could exchange a few of our
portrait statues lacking in beauty, truth, or irispiration
for an occasional refreshing ivork of this kind
FOLKGARTEN, VIENNA
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS
donors come to appreciate that they are privileged to complete a park
design in presenting a statue rather than to take it for granted that
some park design will be conveniently revamped to make place for
such statues as they desire to present.
SITE TO FORETELL AND IDENTIFY STATUES
A well-regulated park will indicate, even to an unsophisticated
observer, whether or not statues were intended in the original con-
ception ; and it will usually be found that statues or monuments when
called for are for purposes of accenting axial points of the design
rather than for mere ornamentation of the park. A monument should
appear inseparable from its site. The criticism was made in Congress
at the time the site was being selected for the Lincoln ^lemorial that
the advocates of the proposed location in Potomac Park did not care
whether the proposed Memorial should be dedicated to Abraham
Lincoln or to Buffalo Bill, just so long as a two-million-dollar Greek
Temple should be erected in the exact spot where the design called for
such a structure. The criticism appeared to be well founded in the
sense that the design did call for just such an architectural expression
as the Lincoln jMemorial promised to provide, and the INIall scheme
would never reach completion until some rare structure emphasised
the site indicated on the main axis of the design. In a larger sense,
however, the design had reserved and set apart this i^lace of honour for
just such a great man as Lincoln, and the site would not have been
recommended and urged so loyally unless it were to be dedicated to a
national figure worthy to take, in company with Washington, such
place of honour.
It is a question Avhether site is greater than statue. In actual
experience it is found that sites, determined in advance, impose con-
ditions upon the sculptor and influence to great extent the form and
design of statue to be placed there. Is it not reasonable to suppose
then that if statues are governed by site that sites should be selected
182
There are certain historical figures ivhich seem plucked
from the ivorld of romance. There are age-old monu-
ments which circumstance has surrounded with mystery.
These exceptions merge harmoniously with naturalistic
surroundings
JOAN D'ARC, FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA
OLD SPANISH MONUMENT, ST. AUGUSTINE
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS
first, and that the influence of a forced site in a park where there is
properly no place for a statue will be reflected deleteriously in the
design or the statue placed there?
GUARD AGAINST STATUE INVASION
It is not intended to disparage the acquisition by a city of monu-
ments and statues to glorify and commemorate its past and to symbolise
its ideals and ambitions of the future ; but it may be saf elj^ asserted that
a city is becoming top-heavy with such material when the character of
its parks is made to suffer by the too numerous intrusion of statues. It
would be drastic to eliminate all statues from parks, but let us not
erect new ones to regret. Statues in parks may be likened to jewels,
they should be sparingly used; the more beautiful the park, the less
need is there of such adornment. It will be found, moreover, that if
statues for parks are considered when the parks are being first de-
signed, they will in nine cases out of ten take different form, place and
orientation and perhaps in the other case be eliminated.
AVashington is a particularly bad example of every park with its
own statue and sometimes with two or three extra ones, — statues
mostly of value for archaological interest. It is hoped that the newer
cities will not emulate its example in this respect. Congress has a
curious habit, in passing bills for the erection of new statues, to instruct
the committees in charge " to select sites on tlie Public Grounds of
the District of Columbia eocclusive of the Capitol Grounds and the
Grounds of the Library of Congress." This self-protective policy of
not admitting statuary into the special domains of the Capitol is an
advance stej) and perhaps in time Congress will extend its protectorate
over the city as a whole and Washington will cease to compete with
Torino, as it does at present, in being conspicuous for the number of
its monuments.
A city may be con^jncuous for its monuments ; it will be noted for
the excellence of its parks, their fountains, belle vistas, and shady
walks.
184
Naturalistic subjects, properly handled, possess both
picturesque and educational value and express a better
fitness of things in park environment than rnundane
images
FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA
CHAPTER IX
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
fT^HE (leniand for building sites within park areas is much greater
X than would be generally supposed. There are demands for
auditoriums, armouries, gymnasiums, art museums, natural history
rooms and public buildings of all kinds. In one of the most recent
books on city planning there is made this recommendation :
" Among the edifices which may properly be placed in the parks are mu-
nicipal banquet halls. In such halls the various municipal and scmi-nmnicipal
functions could be held, instead of in the hotels as at present. Distinguished
guests could be received in more dignity at such banquet halls than in private
hostelries."
It may be seen from this that, although much has been written
adverse to sacrificing parks to buildings, the tendency to project build-
ings into park areas is not yet dead — its tail still wriggles. Central
Park in Xew York, especially, has been overrun with innumerable
projects for the introduction of edifices within its domain, from the
suggestion in 1872 that all religious sects should be invited to build
places of worship upon it, to recommendations within recent years that
sites be granted there for academies of design, art museums and
exhibition palaces. New York City, however, has proven itself a
St. Patrick in respect to public buildings in parks, and can be depended
upon to crush the idea of a nuinicipal banquet hall also should it seek
admission there.
PARKS TO POSSESS ARCHITECTURE; ARCHITECTURE NOT TO
DISPOSSESS PARKS
"A park is to furnish relief and repose of mind which natural
scenery brings to those who are wearied by city sights and sounds."
From this it would appear that no building of any kind shoidd be
permitted within park domains, as jeopardising the effect of the land-
186
IrmnUjrant types of architecture are admissible in parks
sufficiently large to amalgamate them
THE CHALET, PUBLIC GARDENS, ROME
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
scape and dispelling the illusion of " natural scenery." Parks, how-
ever, are not merely compositions of scenery, but, as has been pointed
out, are for utility as well as for beauty. Buildings in that sense fre-
quently are very vital to parks. If, therefore, there is need of a
building in a park for some reason of service or for some requirement
of the park, there should not be the slightest hesitation in introducing
it there. The converse, however, is equally true : if a building is not
needed for some reason of service or to satisfy some need of the park,
it should never be granted admittance. For example, an edifice for
dining " distinguished guests " is not requisite to a park, for the service
can be performed equally w^ell elsewhere and therefore such a building
should not be allowed there. The proper relation between buildings
and parks must be that of reciprocity and mutual need, each the com-
plement and supplement of the other.
The mere fact that a building is public does not justify its admission
to and absorption of park areas. Six years ago there was erected in
one of Washington's parks the Court of Appeals building, the inter-
relation of which with park development, the purpose for which the
park was set apart, still remains a mystery. Two other buildings, how-
ever, had already been erected within that park, and precedent made
the way easy. The new building, to cap the climax, was located in
such a way as to obviously require the addition of a fourth building
for the completion of the architectural composition, showing how the
inch becomes the ell. City halls and court houses seem to be the
greatest sinners in this respect, and they lead the way for an army of
other pubHc buildings for which appropriations are made with no
provision for site.
PARKS ARE NOT FORECOURTS
An infringement of architecture on park domains which cannot be
too strongly guarded against is that similar to the case of the Century
Theatre in New York City, in the building of which plans were pre-
188
This hiiilding for tennis and indoor sports, designed
in- exposition style and located close to the water's edge
for vieiv and coinposition, is an example of pertinent
architecture contributing to the beauty of a park
PUBLIC PARK, BUDAPEST
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
pared for appropriating that section of Central Park immediately
before it for the development of a formal foreground to the building.
Although this might seem permissible in the case of so large a park, as
a general proposition it would be extending the pale of the city within
the park instead of shutting it out, and a multiplication of the device
at intervals along an entire boundary would sensibly decrease the
apparent area of any but the most extensive of parks. In the case of
small parks such suggestions are insidiously dangerous, for, in design-
ing or redesigning a small park to bring it into keeping with some par-
ticular building facing upon it, the initial purpose of the park often
becomes lost and forgotten in the shuffle. The instigator, whose under-
most purpose is to improve the a^^pearance of the building in which he
is especially interested, usually avows that parks must not be con-
sidered as separate units, but should be designed in relation to the city
and to their surroundings. This is true, but not in the im})lied sense of
relating to a particular building; for a park, to express its civic func-
tion, must eschew partiality toward any one of the buildings facing
upon it which would seek to convert it into a forecourt or plaza, and
thus abstract it from the genuine park areas of the city. Rather should
the precedent of foreign cities be followed, where ample grounds are
provided about their semi-public buildings and developed in park char-
acter— as, for example, in the public flower gardens and play areas
about the Alte and Neue Pinakothek in INIunich.
COMMENSURATE AREAS SHOULD BE SUBSTITUTED
At the present time several of our cities are launched on extensive
replanning schemes in the execution of which, as in the Washington
Mall scheme, the integrity of long-established parks is threatened to
make way for civic centres or other architectural developments. The
inexorable dictum that park areas should never be converted into sites
for public buildings should not be overruled even in this case; but, in
190
Architecture may ham a sentimental or historical value
warratiting its inclusion in a park
OLD SLAVE MARKET, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
order not to block the carrying out of such comprehensive development
as may be for the welfare of a city as a whole, the give-and-take policy
may be inaugurated. The idea to be maintained is that there shall be
no diminution of park area, and it is therefore recommended that in
the ratification of a new city plan there be inserted the conditional
clause as follows :
" That commensurate park areas shall be acquired to offset such present
park areas as may be taken for building purposes in the new plan and thereby
become lost to the city as parks."
Such a clause will protect the park area of a city without jeopardising
the best development of the city plan.
PARK ARCHITECTURE TO BE HARMOXIOUS AND RESTRAINED
The character of architecture in parks will be determined some-
what by the city environment, especially when the park is of such
limited area as to bring it within the influence of street architecture.
Where, for various reasons, the surrounding buildings may not be
neutralised by planting, buildings required in the park should show a
certain similarity or harmony of style and material with those in the
adjoining street. This will be found to be a very difficult condition to
meet, and, like an ideal, may be attained but rarely. Instances have
occurred, however, when it has been possible to match the colour and
texture of a park building to that of the architecture immediately
across the street from it with nice effect, and there have been other
instances where the result would undeniably have been better if some
such effort at architectural harmonising had been made.
As a general rule the architecture of a small park should be kept
as plain and inornate as possible, without becoming austere or unin-
teresting. The impression that any fantastic type of architecture may
be discreetly introduced in park design is fallacious ; and the architect
who conscientiously studies this problem, bearing in mind that the
192
America at present holds promise to lead in uniquely
park architecture
THE REFECTORY, HUMBOLDT PARK, CHICAGO
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
architecture which he creates must be to serve the interests of the park
and in that sense be subsem ient or incidental to the general aspect of
that park, will not find a great deal of liberty for dabbling in fantastic
styles: he will come to realise that there are principles in landscape
design, perhaps previously unfamiliar to him, holding him w^ithin sur-
prisingly definite limits. An entire park design may just as surely be
unbalanced or disrupted by irresponsible design of a component build-
ing as may an architectural facade be destroyed by irresponsible design
of an entrance door or other unit of its composition. Architecture of
small parks should be entrusted only to architects of park experience
or in consultation with the landscape architect or park designer in
charge of the park development as a whole.
EXPRESSIVE, NOT FANCIFUL
More liberty may be granted in the architecture of large parks.
There the buildings are beyond the influence of street architecture, and
therefore may be designed as units in themselves, or as relating only
to other units of park architecture. In a formal landscape scheme the
character of the architecture component to it often w^ill be arbitrarily
determined, but free standing buildings, such as pavilions, tea houses
and park restaurants, may be left quite to the will of the architect —
provided, of course, that he is a designer of discretion. It should be
again emphasised, however, that a " playful " type of design com-
monly considered suitable for park work does not mean fantastic or
privileged architecture. Golf and tennis houses and the buildings
devoted to the conveniences of park sj^orts should show special dignity
of design, thus visually controverting the old-fashioned idea of their
inconsequence and triviality. The large boat houses and buildings for
sports in the parks of Budapest are imposing stone stnictures. The
field houses of the recreation centres in the Chicago parks are examples
of well-expressed park architecture. It is disappointing that the
194
It is regrettable ivhcn requisite architecture fails to
reflect park environment
BATH HOUSE AT BELLE ISLE, DETROIT
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
English have not developed their i^ark architecture beyond the make-
shift stage, for their leadership in domestic architecture might extend
to this field and result in beautiful combinations of park buildings and
gardening.
RESIDENCES FOR OFFICIAES QUESTIONABLE
In addition to other park buildings, many of our cities have pro-
vided residences for the park superintendent, head gardener, and other
heads of the park force, either by erecting new buildings or by retaining
buildings which existed on the property when originally taken over for
park purposes. It is a question whether it is even good business policy
to have such buildings a part of a park system. If such park officials
are worthy of their hire, it is unfair to require them to accept a portion
of their remuneration in this way, for many men feel it in a sense
demeaning to be stamped by their living quarters as a part of the park
system rather than as governing it. On the other hand, mediocre men
in these positions are frequently receiving a higher remuneration than
would be approved were their rate of compensation expressed in such
a way as to show to the auditor or the taxpayers an actual accounting.
In either case it is extremely questionable whether park lands should
be devoted to this purpose, for frequently quite large areas about such
residences are actually fenced off as private, or at least given so
strongly the character of a private estate as to tangibly detach them
from park areas and, in that sense, isolate considerable portions of the
park from public use.
COTTAGES FOR PARK WORKiMEX INSTEAD
A suggestion, on the other hand, which might be given tentative
consideration is the matter of providing cottages or community houses
for park employees. The objection that this would entail even greater
sacrifice of park area than the residences of park superintendents and
other executives is not so vital in this case, because quarters for the
196
'H
Cottages for the workmen in large parks possess possi-
bilities of utility and picturesqueness
WORKMEN'S QUARTERS, PUBLIC PARK, MILAN
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
workmen could be erected in what for park purposes would be con-
sidered the least desirable portion of the park, quite the opposite of
the location selected for superintendents' houses, and would not require
large private lawn or garden areas about them.
Several advantages would be derived from such an innovation: it
would bring about a personal and permanent interest of the men in
the park work ; it would tend to increase their efficiency by improving
their living arrangements ; and, by making possible a certain amount
of discipline in a park force, there could be built up a working organisa-
tion in place of the frequently haphazard collection of poorly selected
and often poorly managed workmen. There might eventually be
developed a considerable esprit de corps which would raise the morale
and standard of the " job," and take the park force out of the category
of a political dumping ground. Though free living quarters might
look like a " plum," they would be under official discipline and general
public inspection to such an extent as to offer no sinecure for ward-
heelers. If in addition, as in the parks of Torino and other Italian
cities, the park force were uniformed much the same as are our " White
Wings," but preferably in green or brown, the appearance of the men
at work in the park would be improved and, because more easily
discernible, " loafing " among them would become less prevalent.
PICTURESQUE HOUSING
The appearance of a group of workmen's cottages, with a com-
munity house for the unmarried men, could be made a very picturesque
element in a park scene. On a large country estate at West Park, on
the Hudson, small houses for the workmen are arranged about a court
yard in a serviceable and yet decorative fashion. There is also a row of
very quaint little houses ranged along one side of the Boboli Gardens in
Florence which really add to the charm of that portion of the grounds.
In the Pu])lic Park at Milan there are several workmen's cottages
198
Photograph by H. W. Peaslee.
The workmen s quarters in European parks are quaint
and deeorative
BOBOLI GARDENS, FLORENCE
4
• ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
included in a service portion of the park, hidden away in an interior
court yard. The photograph, taken only after much difficulty in
finding the way within, shows a decided attractiveness which need not
have been so scrupulously concealed. Such a settlement could be
developed in a park system with the threefold accomplishment of in-
creasing efficiency in park maintenance and up-keep, of offering a city
opportunity to experiment in a small way with the social problem of
housing workmen, and of adding a feature of interest to the park
design. The entire project is, of course, one which may be taken up
only by cities of considerable size with somewhat extensive park areas
at their disposal. The idea is advanced by the author as a suggestion
for discussion and further thought rather than as definite recommenda-
tion, in which form he has ventured to present the other material of
the book.
SERVICE BUILDINGS TO BE DESIGNED, NOT CONCEALED
All park buildings should be given equal attention in architectural
design, those for what is known as " service " receiving quite as careful
study as others of the park. The intent should never be to slight the
design of a building with the excuse that it is intended merely for
service or is to be concealed. A nicely designed service building may
be to quite as artistic a purpose in a park as any other part of the devel-
opment, and service buildings are rarely completely hidden. It is thus
in meeting the park requirements, in obtaining beaut}^ without sacri-
ficing economy, that an architect's ability may be put to a greater test
than in the pursuance of his usual architectural practice. A good
example is the service building in Carroll Park, Baltimore, which is
creditable in form and detail; there is no need to conceal its existence
as in the majority of cases, and such planting as may be added later
will be for embellishment and setting — and not for screen.
Greenhouses, in the same way, an absolute necessity in the main-
200
Service buildings, trim and commendable in architecture,
will need planting merely for park character, not for the
usual purpose of concealment
CARROLL PARK, BALTIMORE
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
tenance of any park system, should be availed of for park interest,
rather than be considered merely as a part of the working equipment
of the park. The possibilities of greenhouse construction may be seen
in the accomplishment along this line by private estates throughout
the country, and there is no logical reason that artistic greenliouse
design should be restricted to private work. There are ample examples
of large display greenhouses in connection with parks and botanical
gardens, both in this country and abroad, but the practical greenhouses,
a necessary part of the regular propagation work in park maintenance,
are rarely made the most of in themselves as a feature of park interest.
Too often it becomes necessary to keep the greenhouses for park
systems sub rasa to protect them from politicians who would make
personal demands upon them ; or, because they have already lost their
function to the extent of becoming cut-flower conservatories in place
of propagating houses, it is considered imprudent to reveal to the
general public just what sort of material is being grown in the park
greenhouses, or to what purpose it is being put.
DESIGN IS NOT TRANSFERABLE
In the design of park architecture it should be urged that existing
examples of park building, however satisfactory they may appear in
parks of other cities, should never be adopted except as a parent type ;
in one instance the original designers were required to prepare a sort
of stock pattern of building which, with slight modification, could be
made to fit several sites, thereby precluding the possibility of the best
individual design. Transplanted architecture often leads to incon-
gruity of style ; also mistakes in plan frequently reveal themselves after
a building is in use, and a close copying of the design by other cities
will result in a repetition of these same difficulties. Such examples as
may appear eminently satisfactory should be accepted merely as a
202
Propagating greenhouses for parks may be rendered
sightly and decorative unthout becoming exalted into
exhibition houses
GREENHOUSE ON PRIVATE ESTATE
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS
model or type from which further study in reference to local conditions
can frequently evolve a more applicable design.
All buildings should emanate from and be the result of park con-
ditions, designed in furtherance of park interests. After it has been
determined that a building is imperative to the welfare of a park and
that its presence within the park domain is for that reason justifiable
and pertinent, ample attention should be given to its design, that it be
a credit to itself and a credit to the park. If it is admitted, on the one
hand, that lands dedicated to park use should not be desecrated by the
intrusion of promiscuous buildings, it is doubly sure, on the other, that
legitimate park buildings should not be left in promiscuous hands, lest
irresponsibility in their design militate unjustly against their presence.
^'Architecture is frozen music,'" hut Mme. de Stael
might have added that there is both good and bad music.
There are also occasions ichen music is out of place
THE TERRACE, CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK
CHAPTER X
DECORATIVE USE OF WATER
WATER is used much too grudgingly in parks. There are
people who would confine the use of water to drinking, bathing
and sanitary purposes, objecting even to its use on the streets. When
such people come in charge of parks, there isn't to be found even a
drinking fountain in their entire township.
Small towns consider themselves laudably up-to-date when arrange-
ments are made for Tom Jones to water the grass on the Common dur-
ing midsmnmer; the idea of having a constantly playing fountain or
consmiiing water in some other form of foolish display, for which the
townspeople would have to be taxed, is considered going a bit too far.
Few town officials would have the hardiness to take the responsibility
for such inanities. Cities, on the other hand, though less drought
stricken, are amazingly pharisaical: they look down upon the desert
towns and exalt themselves in pointing to the occasional fountains
within their own environs, w^ithout once letting their eyes behold the
better land beyond. Contrast what even the most progressive of our
cities have done in this line with what may be found in almost any
foreign city of equal size, and the tendency to boast will disappear.
Let the number of fountains in even our most prodigal cities be checked
up in ratio to per capita of population or to area of service, and abase-
ment follows.
ARGUMENTS FOR WATER IN PARKS
The use of water is justifiable in park development for several
reasons: as park embellishment in itself, as an indispensable element
of landscape composition, and as a means of alleviating climatic con-
ditions. In the first instance, that of ornament per se, its value is
obvious. Whether used in the form of plashing fountains, tumbling
206
Water in the form of naturalistic shallow pools may
have a decorative park value and yet serve to practical
purpose during the summer months
FRIEDRICHSHAIN, BERLIN
DECORATIVE USE OF WATER
cascades or in quiet pools and basins, it is a delight to the eye, a thing
of beauty in itself. For this reason of embellishment alone, the liberal
use of water is justifiable in park design. Secondly, active water in
brilliant jets and scintillating sprays may be depended upon to furnish
high light and sparkle to a pictorial scene as little else can. The play-
ing water disports and revels in the sunlight, absorbing of its brilliance
and emitting flashes and gleams in a hundred directions. As a point of
radiance in the light and shadow of a park scene, water display is
invaluable. Finally, as a palliative during the summer months of ex-
cessive heat, the liberal use of water in park development will be found
directly helpful. Fountains will not freshen atmosphere nor alleviate
climatic conditions to any appreciable extent, but the sight of cool
bubbling water will tend to lessen the physical strain caused by the
heat of summer, and in that sense will mitigate suffering and promote
health. In those unfortunate park systems where bathing beaches are
unobtainable and the welcome substitutes of swinmiing pools are
crowded to congestion throughout every hot spell, parks abounding in
fountains will be especially frequented, the mere sight of the playing
water appearing to give refresliment. As a means of alleviating
climatic conditions, water display in parks is indispensable.
WATER DISPLAY SACRIFICED FOR SCULPTURE AND ORNAMENT
Fountains at best are underestimated. In a paper by Joseph
Hornblower several years ago, regarding statuary in Washington, one
reads: " The site is chosen by a conmiittee composed in part at least
of members of the association or groups of citizens whose gift the
statue or ornament may be. The whole District is laid before this
committee, and it is invited to choose, whicli it usually does with refer-
ence to nothing that has gone before or may come after, selecting as a
rule what it considers the most beautiful unappropriated park or circle.
If the park have a fountain, the fountain m list go." What a condition of
208
Contrast the amount of money here expended and the
relative water display. Which is preferable?
WASHINGTON PARK, ALBANY (Left)
HOFGARTEN, MUNICH {Right)
Mk
DECORATIVE USE OF WATER
things — retrogression in the guise of progression! Fountains are a
sign of civiHsation and enhghtenment, and once established should
never be sacrificed for any cause whatever.
Fountains are essentially for the display of water. The simplest
architectural form is often the best; and the determining factor of
fountain design should be the amount of water exhibited. jNIany in-
stances may be cited of fountains erected in America within the last
dozen years or so in which the water holds so insignificant a part as not
to be noticeable whether playing or not. In memorial designs the
working team of sculptor and architect seem to feel that their ability
may be doubted unless at least forty-nine per cent, of the composition
is sculpture and forty-nine per cent, is architecture. The wealthier
the cit}^ the less water is there usually displayed in its fomitains. Par-
ticularly is this true in richly ornamented parks where " formal "
design with its architectural and sculptural accessories frequently
crowds out even the planting.
WATER DISPLAY BEAUTIFUL IX ITSELF
A very beautiful fountain in America is the one on the south lawn
of the White House, consisting wholly of jets of water throwing to
the centre, from which confluence rise several higher jets. In this
fountain there is no architecture whatever except the coping of the
basin, in itself hardly discernible because of the fringe of iris bordering
it. Near Dupont Circle in Washington there is a fountain, petite in
comparison but amply dignified because in scale with the small park
where it is located. This latter fountain, tout compris, cost but two
hundred and thirty dollars, not beyond the means of the smallest city,
and the price could have been further reduced without materially
detracting from the effect of the fountain by the substitution of a plain
coping for the lip form used. It is only as water display is curtailed
that fountain effect is jeopardised. European parks abound in small
210
Fountains are essentially for the display of ivater.
Shimmering and iridescent, water possesses a beauty
in itself independent of the art of the sculptor
SOUTH-LAWN FOUNTAIN, THE WHITE HOUSE
DECORATIVE USE OF WATER
fountains of this type as well us in the grander sort so often pictured.
The four fountains in the Hofgarten of Munich, which are witliout
architect ui-al embellishment of any kind, exemplify how inexpensive
fountains may be and yet excel in lavish water display. American
parks are gradually substituting such fountains for the old style iron
fantasies of fifteen years ago, many examples of which, however, un-
fortunately are still extant. It is not the less acceptable that the
change is frequently accomplished on the ground that concrete foun-
tains are more economical to maintain, there being no need of painting
in summer or boarding up in winter.
COXSUMPTIOX OF WATER
Fountains should not be designed so as to require so copious use of
water as to cause their remaining inert the greater portion of the year
or result in their being converted into flower beds. They should be
designed with an intelligent regard to the water supply available, so
that water may always be dripping from their brims.
If the problem of water supply is a serious one in town or city, very
good results may be obtained by means of pools and water basins which
require merely sufficient water to keep the pool fresh. The glory of
the beautiful Park Monceau in Paris is the limpid pool at the centre
which reflects across its shimmering surface the soft lines of the
crumbling colonnade encircling it. In England there are endless
examples of still water surfaces contributing to the beauty of private
gardens, but water is rarely used in park design except where areas
are sufficiently great for the development of lakes or sheets of water.
The neighbourhood parks of lA)ndon are as dry of water as deserts.
In the Vienna parks are found exceptionally good examples of
small naturalistic bodies of still water requiring comparatively insig-
nificant water supply. Nearly every instance, strangely enough,
shows application of the accepted English principles of pastoral
212
Pools and basins require comparatively small ivater
supply, and contribute both innate and reflected beauty
to the park scene
PARK MONCEAU, PARIS
DECORATIVE USE OF WATER
design combined with a thorough comprehension of scale in land-
scape. The principles outlined by such writers as Repton or Price
in reference to large informal bodies of water, when applied without
regard to scale, will give amusing results, as may be seen in some of
the Holland parks where a single glance includes both bay and
recess of shoreline. When elements which should be held separate
are viewed thus simultaneously, the impression produced is that of
Japanese or children's gardening. Vienna park designers appear to
have been aware of such possible pitfalls, and never to have reduced
the scale of informal water in the parks to danger of the absurd.
INCONGRUOUS WATER SUPPLY
In this connection, water pools of naturalistic outline should never
be fed by formal playing fountains, for such combination of formal
and informal is an incongruity. If the water supply is to be featured,
it must be done by means of a natural appearing brook or cascade,
apparently coming from some flowing spring or other source, which
may be concealed to prevent close examination and yet maintain the
effect of realism desired. The most familiar illustration of incon-
gruous combination of formal and informal water is that of the Ken-
sington Gardens in Hyde Park, London, where a single fountain, of
considerable flow, to be sure, appears to be the source of water supply
for the entire serpentine lake, — and even to the lay mind suggests that
somebody blundered. In contradistinction is the lagoon of Stephens
Green, Dublin, which is liberally supplied by a waterfall fifteen feet
high by twenty wide, the source of which is invisible and the supply
pipes for which are so concealed that few observers are aware of its
artificiality. The grotto and canal feeding the lily pond in Villa
Pamphilj at Rome, although a formal inlet to a naturalistic body of
water, are not out of keeping because in that case apparently a natural
water supply has been rendered formal.
214
A naturalistic source of supply will authenticate an
artificial po7id or lagoon; a formal source ivill challenge
its sincerity
PUBLIC GARDEN, MILAN
DECORATIVE USE OF WATER
INTEREST FOR THE CHILDREN
In connection with the informal water treatment, the designer may
introduce many features of park interest. In addition to formal water
divertisement such as cascades and falls, there may be water garden-
ing, islands and bridges, boat houses and various other water acces-
sories. Swans and other water-fowl furnish much enlivenment to
such scenes. It is not necessary to forego water life in parks because
it may not be possible to acquire rare varieties of exotic birds. The
home variety of ducks and geese will give an equally picturesque effect
and prove of much attraction. The picture shown of children feeding
the ducks in the park in Vienna was but one of a great many taken in
different parks of that city. It is a never failing source of amusement
to children to have opportunity of feeding these birds, and after
awhile the fowl become very tame. In the Fortessa Park in Florence,
where there is a large basin of semi-formal design, there thrive great
schools of gold fish, and the quaint vendor of currant buns which the
children purchase to share with their shining friends is as much a park
institution as the man standing ready with the cones of shelled corn
for the flocks of pigeons in the Piazza San Marco in Venice. It is
just such features of interest, seemingly insignificant in themselves,
which make parks popular and establish them in the hearts of the
people. There is no reason why ponds of carp and gold fish should
not be as much a part of parks in America as the squirrels we are
accustomed to watch for.
Children welcome pools and lagoons for sailing boats, the national
operations of whom may be viewed any summer afternoon in Central
Park, New York, the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris or the Public
Gardens in Milan. Frequently one of the duties of park watchmen in
summer is to keep the children from converting fountain basins into
wading pools. This of course is the result of the combination of hot
weather and their inherent love of paddling in the water, and can
216
Ponds populated with ducks and geese wliich may he
coaxed afield furnish amuseinent and accentuate park
charm for the children
STADTPARK, VIENNA
DECORATIVE USE OF WATER
easily be avoided by providing adequate facilities for water sports for
the children. The circumstance is often used as an objection to water
basins in parks, several of the fountains in the Savannah parks being
kept turned off for that reason. Unconventional as it may seem, if
fountains are of value in that respect, what is the harm of their being
used for paddling by the children if nothing of park value is
destroyed in such use. The fountains may thus both promote health
and give pleasure.
COMPOSITION AND ARRANGEMENT
In the introduction of water in parks, the same rules of design will
follow as were pointed out in Chapter III. Whatever its size or form,
the water feature, to appear rational, must relate very definitely in its
placing to the general lines of the park plan. Informal water should
compose pictorially with the park scene of which it is made a part.
A fountain appears to best advantage when used to accent or em-
phasise some radial or focal point of the design such as may occur at
the intersection of formal walks or at the end of promenades or vistas.
This is not an aesthetic distinction but a precept, for a fountain illogi-
cally placed will inevitably appear errant and astray. A striking
example of a fountain motif placed contrary to reasons of design
exists in a Httle town in Massachusetts, the birthplace of the author.
Within the Common of this town, shady and felicitous, there is placed
a bronze fountain, slightly out of scale and character with the park but
especially noticeable in the irrelevancy of its location. A townsman
tells the curious visitor that the fountain was placed there so as to
come directly in front of a certain house facing this Conmion, the home
of the donor of the fountain, who made its placement a condition of
the gift. A professional adviser would immediately have recom-
mended against the acceptance of a gift invalidated by such a restric-
tion. The townspeople, however, have found a quainter way of ex-
218
If there is ample and forceful display of icater, no archi-
tectural embellishment of fountain head is iiecessarij
P.\RK FOUNTS IN BERLIN AND TORINO
DK( ()RAT1\'K USE OF WATER
pressing their sentiment: for some inexplicable reason no money has
ever been found to defray the expense of having this fountain play,—
reminiscent of the horse that could be led to water but couldn't be
made to drink.
It has been said that great examples in architecture, the most
beautiful monuments, the perfect specimens of civic art, will in
time crumble to ruin but that the fountains will remain. The monu-
ments of the Forum have long since gone but the gushing fountains
of Home still play. A mortal name may be rendered more eternal by
dedicating unto it a fountain than i)y any other means, for the hand of
time seems to pass lightly over these symbols of peace.
There is a sort of grandeur about ivater difficult to
define but ivhich may be evoked by no other medium of
'park expression
VILLA D'ESTE, ITALY
CHAPTER XI
PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS
GOOD examples of planting composition are hard to find in the
ordinary run of parks. This is due in great part to lack of
academic training of those in immediate charge of parks.
Until very recent years our parks have been in the care of men
who have grown up as gardeners, highly competent as such but to
whom the aspect of the individual plant has been of chief importance.
Their influence has resulted in plant collection rather than plant com-
position,— interesting horticulturally but rarely so pictorially. To
the landscape designer, composition is first; individual plants to him
are merely planting fragments of minor importance and meaningless
in themselves until, like the irregular pieces of a picture-puzzle, they
are brought together into the recognised relationship of a picture.
GARDENERS ARE RARELY DESIGNERS
Examples from Italian gardens are offered very often as showing
well composed planting created by gardeners, men without academic
training. In some cases, yes, but most of the famous gardens of Italy
are old established creations, many of them originally designed by such
men as Vignola, Michael Angelo and Raphael, who laid down plans
of such intelligence and omnipotence as to render planting incidental,
for all time controlled by the general composition. In most cases
where gardeners are in charge of European parks and gardens to-day,
they have little opportunity for original design, their duties being
principally the up-keep of a definitely executed design, and their
creative genius limited to relatively unimportant parterres and floral
display. At the same time, these very men and their fathers before
them have been so surrounded with examples of art and design all their
lives that, where liberty of planting is given them, they are able, un-
222
■'^.-|-8«'
There is- a congeniality and charm about closely inter-
woven foliage that is lacking in isolated specimens
FOLIAGE COMPOSITION, WASHINGTON
WM
PLANTING DESKJN OF PARKS
consciously often, to achieve real composition as the result of tradition
and instinct. American gardeners, without disrespect to their ability,
are usually exactly what the name signifies, and are therefore unfitted
to handle j^lanting design problems that involve even the most ele-
mentarv principles of mass and line composition.
It is obvious and arrant absurdity when planting design is at-
tempted or controlled by park engineers or superintendents untrained
either in horticulture, gardening or landscape design.*
TRAINING MORE RELIABLE THAN INTUITION
It has already become the practice in recent years for park organisa-
tions of large cities to include on their permanent staff a landscape
designer, one of whose duties is the design and control of park plant-
ing. In small cities and towns where it has been impossible for reasons
of expense to employ such a man annually, it has been found of great
value to retain him for consultation on proposed projects. The land-
scape expert, when intermittently employed, often assumes a " prophy-
lactic " relation to the work, and in later years when the projects are
developed more extensively, no waste is involved in correcting early
mistakes. In cities where the park planting is in charge of a head
gardener who has not had professional training in design, it becomes
the duty of that official either to explain to the proper authorities
the value of calling in a landscape expert from time to time, or for
him to acquire such knowledge of design as is possible by his own
efforts.
He should, as best he can, familiarise himself with the principles of
composition, pictorial and architectural, and should cultivate an in-
terest in painting and other forms of art. All of this will gradually
give him an appreciation of design. With a thorough basic knowledge
of plants and gardening already his, he will find that his very lack of
* See following chapter.
224
Planting should he interpretive as loell as pictorial.
Rhododendrons and lanreUfor example, express the spirit
of the woods. For variety and accent in the composition,
there may he intermingled hemlock and juniper, flower-
ing dogwood and shad hush
MONTROSE PARK, GEORGETO\\'N
(Designed by the Author)
PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS
exact knowledge in the principles of design governing the use of such
plant material will make each new precept encountered seem applicable
to some one of his daily problems.
TOO GREAT SHADE DETRIMENTAE
Planting is done for two reasons: for shade and for ornamental
interest. Shade is usually overdone. The visitor to a park in summer
seeks the cool recesses of shady grove, but does not desire subterranean
gloom. His chief requirement is that the walks which he follows, or
the seats where he may desire repose, shall be amply shaded ; the sun
may revel over all other areas so far as he is concerned. Yet it seems
to be a popular park doctrine that another tree shall be planted in
every open space. Such a policy has made dismal woods of many
park areas, shutting out all light and air, and converting them into
foliage crypts.
Trees, especially in small parks, had best be planted only along
the walk lines or where a grove is desired to furnish shade for park
benches. All other spaces are preferably left free of trees, both to
serve as breezeways during summer weather and to admit sunlight into
the park. An artist knows that pictorial composition depends in large
part upon contrast of light and shade, and the shade cast by dense trees
in a park composition needs to have for contrast the play of sunlight
upon open lawns. It will be impossible to obtain landscape pictures
without such lighting. Moreover, it is in the framing and setting of
these green lawn fragments that the plant designer finds opportunity
to create contrastful compositions of foliage and flower.
ADORNMENT, NOT GARNITURE
Planting of parks, though popularly done for the purpose of
rendering them ornamental, sliould never appear in the character of a
display. A preponderance of vivid-hued specimens with curious leaves
226
Shoals of sunshine amid shadoiv depths guarantee
brilliant contrasts in the chiaroscuro of park planting
FRIEDRICHSHAIN, BERLIN
PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS
and fantastic shapes, some inordinately thin and tall, others extraor-
dinarily branched, will give an effect of consciousness to a park, an
appearance of ])eing trapped out in tinsel and finery as though per-
petually' en fete. One is reminded of the English maid in Italy, who,
disgusted at the number and frequency of the festival days, the word
for which in Italian is "fiesta," remarked to her mistress: " What a
foolish country; they are always a-festering." JVIany of our parks are
always a-festering.
To avoid an appearance of artificiality, the planting material of
parks should not be composed of what the lay mind regards as " orna-
mental." Any plant that is attractive to the eye- — and there are few
that are not — may be considered as suitable material for park work.
That a plant be unusual or foreign looking should not recommend but
challenge it. Moreover, ornamental plants need not be of exotic
origin. A client of the writer objected to the use of trailing honey-
suckle in the planting of steep banks bordering his driveway, for the
reason that it was " a d — n weed." The only answer, of course, which
could be made to him was that " Everything is a weed in its native
habitat." The fact that a plant is exotic does not make it ornamental;
and the unappreciated indigenous material of a locality may often
possess all the elements that are needed for a beautiful planting
composition.
One recalls in this connection the amusing satire of Alphonse
Daudet, who, in describing the garden of his gentle hero, Tartarin, in
which there was to be found " not a tree of the country, not a flower of
France," says:
" O le jiircHii <le Tartarin, il n'v en avait pas drux conniie celui-la en Europe.
Pas un arbre de pays, pas une flcur dc France ; rien que des plantes exotiques,
dcs gomniiers, des calebassiers, des cotonniers, des cocotiers, des manguiers, des
bananicrs, des palniiers, un baobab, dcs nopals, des cactus, dcs figuiers de
Barbaric, Ix se croirc en plcine Afriquc ccntrale, a dix niillc Hcues de Tarascon."
228
Planting for mass effect and not for individual display
reflects bigness of park ideals
GORDON PARK. CLEVELAND
PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS
Unfortunately, the smaller the park, the greater the tendency to
make the planting not only exotic but all-inclusive. The small size of
a park is frequently due to a very central location, which thereby makes
it the cynosure of many eyes, and a temptation to the planter to make
it redound to his personal glory. Let him beware lest it become like
the garden of Tartarin where " les cocotiers n'etaient guere plus
gros que des betteraves, et le baobab (arbre geant, arbor gigantea)
tenait a I'aise dans un pot de reseda."
HORTICULTURAL SUPPRESSION
It is advisable that the nmnber of varieties in any one park be
kept reasonably limited. No single park, unless it be of very great
extent, should serve as a horticultural garden or an arboretum. A
park scene is to be viewed, not catalogued. Also, if the kinds of trees
and shrubs to be used in a park be kept very limited in number there
will be less danger of their being lined up for display like prize animals
at a country fair. A large number of varieties results in " dotting."
A dot is an accent, and one cannot compose with accents. It would be
like an opera score composed of nothing but high notes. Successful
park planting must be composed in large masses, the number of
varieties kept limited so as to compose as a whole and not as a collec-
tion of dots. If there is no idea of composition in a park planting,
the effect is bound to be an insensate and inchoate jumble.
A surprisingly beautiful effect may be obtained in small parks
with plantation of shrubs of but one or two varieties, edged with flower-
ing perennials of low growth and strong leaf value. A very beau-
tiful park in Italy, the Lizzi at Siena, probably has not a dozen
varieties of trees and shrubs altogether ; and a planting list of twenty-
five names would cover the entire material used, including the flower-
ing perennials. The result is not in any sense one of monotony, as
might possibly be the case in garden work, but wholly that of park
simplicity and unity.
230
Flowing or rounded silhonette lines suggest restjulness
and repose, a desirable pari: attribute in planting
TIERGARTEN, BERLIN
sj
PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS
SCREEN AND EMBELLISHMENT
In small parks it is recommended that all shrubs and low-branched
trees, and particularly evergreens, be kept at the outer portions of the
park almost in the nature of screening, which will tend to give a feel-
ing of seclusion to the interior portions of the park, and protect it
somewliat from dust and noise of the surrounding streets. In resi-
dence districts, vistas within the park are desirable to reveal the beauty
of park scenery; therefore, there had best be only sufficient planting
in each case to give the park a feeling of enclosure without absolutely
screening out its interior beauty from view of the adjacent residences.
On the other hand, screen planting may be designed so as to be attrac-
tive from the street side.
In large parks, planting is usually for the embellishment of exist-
ing scenes of beauty, or to create entirely new ones when necessary.
Planting of parks in this larger phase is the more complex one of com-
position, involving, in addition to regulations of form, colour and
scale, considerations of pictorial effects such as elements of distance,
relation of interest, planal values, lighting, etc., all of which has been
made the subject matter of the book of this series entitled " Pictorial
Planting for City, Suburb and Countryside."
UNDERGROWTH COMPOSITION
One of the most difficult problems of the park designer is that of
obtaining growth under trees, so charming a feature of the planting
compositions in European parks. So far, we seem to have been unable
to achieve verj^ satisfactory results in this respect. There are few
plants which will withstand dense shade and contend successfully in
the struggle for existence with the root growth of trees. It is pos-
sible, however, to accomplish something in this respect. The under-
growth material of Italian parks, such as alder, elder, hawthorn, horn-
beam, and dwarf maple is already familiar to our park planters, and
232
Much of the mysicry of old-world parks is ihe residt
of hedgiiig the avenues and isolating the differeid com-
partmeids by foliage banks of undergrowth planting
PUBLIC PARK, PARMA, ITALY
PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS
cities south of New York can make use of the glossy-leaved evergreen
plant, Euonymus Japonica, which composes most of the hedges
lining the shady drives of the parks of Florence. The shade-enduring
olive, Osmantluis aquifolium, a recent arrival in this country, has been
introduced by the author into the Washington parks with success. The
real difficulty of planting in shade is that of contending with the tree
roots that have long had established right of way. Only by isolating
the shrub plantation by means of cinder trench or other barrier to
protect their food supply from the foraging roots of the trees, and by
constant and generous feeding from the surface, can new plants become
established and the foliage undergrowth obtained.
Too often the planting problem is that of patching up a poor
design, of attempting to supply foliage for background or other pur-
pose of comjjosition, which plant elements should have been put in
twenty-five years previous. When the landscape designer starts with
a clear field he will not find it over-difficult to establish a composition
of trees and shrubs growing in close juxtaposition. By planting trees
and shrubs together at the outset — the shrubs comparatively large in
size to give them temporary right of way over the tree material — the
different parts of the planting will become tolerant of each other,
effecting the result the landscape artist desired. Such semi-shade com-
positions are of too vital moment in good park design to be abandoned
because difficult to obtain.
SUGGESTIONS AND ADVICE
An interesting notation made in Italy is that the tree planting of
large natm-alistic parks is found more or less grouped in single variety,
often composed of specimens widely variant in size. This apparently
has been the result of letting existing trees indicate the suitability of
ground for particular tree growth, the park gardener augmenting
their number in anticipation of loss from time to time. The effect is
234
ftLr"
mam
FJilox, peonies and other garden floicers exuberate
without debauching park .shrubberies
MARIA JOSEPHA PARK, VIENNA
PLANTING DP:SIGN OF PARKS
very pleasing, and creates an appearance of naturally reproducing
groves and thickets.
Favourable note was made also of the Italian method of mounding
up the shrub beds in small parks similar to flower beds in this country;
the purpose is to increase the immediate effect of height and to dis-
courage the development of trespass lines through the planting. In
all European parks there is a much greater use of flowers in connection
with shrubbery than in this country, which subject is discussed in the
chapter of this book which deals with the disposition of flowers in parks.
It is commended to the park designer to keep each park simple and
harmonious in its planting, depending for variety of material upon
the park system as a whole. Such a policy brings about better civic
conditions, revealing to those citizens who have banded themselves
into associations, in different parts of the city, that they are merely
dividing the house against itself unless as organisations they cooperate
for park development as a civic entity. A park should never be con-
sidered as belonging to any portion of the city or to any one neighbour-
hood, for each park is a public possession and common to the city as a
whole. The park planter, therefore, has no reason to treat these as
separate units, but as portions of a great planting system. It may
well be his ambition to incite remarks such as " Have you seen the
rhododendron display in Roosevelt Circle T' "The azalea banks in
Taft Park were a wonderful sight Sunday when we were over there,"
or " You shouldn't miss the lilacs down along Wilson Boulevard.
They're just coming into bloom." In short, parks should be given
individuality of planting, and featured as a progression of stellar
attractions in preference to each a mediocre variety show in itself.
The interest of the public in parks thus designed will become keen and
observing, the park system as a whole will appear more inclusive, and
the design of each individual park will exhibit a clearer planting
expression.
236
A park wholly withdrcmm from its surroundings bjj
encompassing foliage may embody the spirit of poetry
in its design
PARK ON ROCHER DES DOMS, AVIGNON, FRANCE
CHAPTER XII
PARK ADMINISTRATION IN RELATION TO
PLANTING DESIGN
LANDSCAPE designers frequently find themselves so hampered
by limiting conditions of park regime as to be imable to exhibit
their best ability in planting design. This situation proceeds from
several causes, many of which are blindly championed by engineer-
superintendents without intelligent comprehension of planting prob-
lems or by supreme officials whose connection with the park system is
for but a comparatively short time and who desire to express their
personality by immediate showy^ results at a minimum expenditure.
Planting policies are inaugurated without exact knowledge of condi-
tions or prescience of the dire consequences which must overtake plant-
ing design under such administration. The situation may be reviewed
as follows:
First, many park administrators, on the gromid of supposed
economy, endorse the maintenance of park nurseries. The danger to
park design from this source is almost incalculable. Design to meet
material is predestined to failure. A landscape designer who is com-
pelled by force of circumstances to shape his planting design to meet
such variety and quantity of material as may be "on hand " is facing
the downward path. No ideals of design can long survive an environ-
ment where the initial reason for new or additional planting is that
certain stock in the park nursery has reached a period of its growth
where it must be " put out." Planting design to meet planting
material is bound to be a fiasco.
Secondly, the amount of planting in park work often is determined
not by exigencies of design but by appropriation allotments and
balances. To make the planting meet exactly the amount of an annual
appropriation, instead of allowing the expenditure to be apportioned
238
A designer compelled to utilise poor varieties and ill-
shapen specimens which may be on hand in an over-
grown park nursery will he severely handicapped
POTOMAC PARK, WASHINGTON
PARK ADMINISTRATION
in accordance with the requirements of the landscape development, is
a policy which will make true planting composition impossible. Also
the frequent method of resorting to planting as an eleventh hour
means of using up the tag ends of appropriations results inevitably in
" promiscuous " planting, a particularly obvious and odious feature of
park work. Such a condition of enforced planting is enough to upset
the digestion of any park system. It is too reminiscent of the old time
park officials who, pigging for personal credit, ruined many a park
in obtaining such newspaper notices as " Fifteen hundred new trees
planted in the parks this spring."
Thirdly, there is a constant nagging by nursery firms to be given a
share of orders regardless of whether or not they can furnish the par-
ticular material which is desired for the planting projects on hand.
A designer, compelled either by fear of criticism or by pressure to so
govern his planting plans as to promote even distribution of orders or
to confine his planting lists to meet the commercial limitations of lame
duck nurseries, is placed under serious handicap. Also, an inferior
specimen is expensive at any price ; and the malpractice of accepting,
at a reduction, previously rejected stock renders planting design a
travesty.
FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE DESIGNER
Fourthly, sentimental or protective demands are made that the
planting in American parks take into consideration the use of American
plants, on the basis that " naturalistic treatment is impossible without
making use of our native plants almost exclusively." This is a mis-
statement and a limiting condition. An examination of the plant
names in the average nursery catalogue reveals that fifty per cent, or
more of the material offered is of exotic origin. Whether it be home
grown or of foreign production is immaterial. Landscape designers
usually include such American varieties of plants as are suitable for
240
PARK ADMINISTRATION
their purpose, and confine their selection only in matters of hardiness
and character of growth.
Finally, there is often imposed the restrictions that no plant be
used in the design which is not self-maintaining. There is no doubt
but that it is best in towns and small communities to select material for
park planting that will be comparatively easy of cultiu*e ; also, even in
cities with well organised planting departments, to use no plants which
are so delicate in constitution as to require f)ampering. On the other
hand, a plant which is subject merely to a well-known scale which may
be eradicated by occasional spraying, or susceptible merely to a com-
mon disease easily remedied, should not be tabooed for that reason
alone. A general policy of eliminating all plants requiring care, taken
in conjunction with a policy of eradicating all specimens difficult to
transplant, soon reduces park planting to the character of scrub growth,
exhibiting merely the survival of the fittest. It will automatically so
reduce the vocabulary of the plant designer that he will be obliged to
express himself in words of one syllable. Liberal range of material
in the case of a competent designer will not result in extravagant or
chaotic display but in simple and well-expressed design. Large plant-
ing vocabulary permits selection that will give the highest type of
planting composition.
This would seem to be a formidable array of conditions militating
against good planting design in parks, but it is not a difficult one to
disperse.
PARK NURSERIES THREATEN DESIGN
If the economy or extravagance of the public nursery policy is
not open to discussion, the making of planting plans to meet exigencies
of material may be eliminated by recommending the destruction of
stock as it becomes overgrown. The idea of cutting down or destroy-
ing plant material which has been paid for out of public moneys is
extremely distasteful from the publicity standpoint, but it is a legiti-
241
PARK ADMINISTRATION
mate and common practice in commercial nurseries to cut down trees
and shrubs which have outgrown the size of economical transplanting.
An alternative is to abandon the policy of growing general stock and
limit the function of the park nurseries to production of special kinds
of material, such as boxwood, yew, slow growing pine, and varieties
of broad-leaved evergreens which take a long period to mature, and
which represent a constantly increasing value without ever reaching
a turning point when the specimens commence to lose value for
economy of transplanting as in the case of deciduous material and
general varieties of conifers. This method will furnish the park
sj^'stem with a nursery which, in the course of years when the specimens
not needed for use during that time become mature, will provide the
park designer with material for immediate effect which he could not
obtain in any other way.
The second condition, resulting in " promiscuous " planting, is one
which should be counteracted by public opinion. Plan must always be
superior and preliminary to planting. When planting appears to be
merely dumped in, the public should " get wise " and express itself.
The landscape architect, also, may help himself in this respect by
keeping the design for new parks as far in advance of execution as
possible, thereby thwarting erratic and meaningless planting. With
definitely prepared landscape projects at hand, those in authority
will find it difficult to make a grandstand showing by premature plant-
ing or without executing the plan as a whole, and appropriation
balances or ambition for newspaper notices will not then jeopardise
but will assist park advancement.
The matter of dividing plant orders among a large nmnber of nur-
serymen, so that all applicants may have equal share, can be regulated
most easily by installing the competitive bid system, which will soon
eliminate the jobbing firms and those which cannot live up to specifica-
tions or up to their own representations.
242
PARK ADMINISTRATION
ADVICE TO THE DESIGNER
The matter of restriction in choice of material, due to difficulties
of transplanting or maintenance of certain varieties, can he met only
by compromise if the issue is raised. The landscape designer must
aim to get the point of view of the park force whose standing depends
upon the growing condition of the park plantations, and who in self-
protection will natin-ally exert every effort to eliminate difficult gar-
dening requirements. Fair consideration of their problems will
prevent the designer from including in his plans, unless absolutely
indispensable to the design, material that is recognisedly troublesome
or trying to the gardener. In return the park gardeners will usually
meet the designer half way, and facilitate his design by accepting
without complaint plant varieties which may be maintained with
reasonable effort of mulching, spraying, etc., on their part.
EVENTUAL GROWTH OF MATERIAL TO BE FORESEEN
Regarding the promiscuous pruning which takes place bi-annually
in so many informal park plantings, ruining them from the landscape
designer's standpoint, it is fitting to speak of the matter without
mincing of words. Trees and shrubs are too often selected for their
appearance in immature stages, and planted without thouglit of future
growth. A rigorous shearing of a group of shrubs is prima facie
evidence that the wrong planting material has been used in that place.
All naturalness of plant growth is immediately eliminated with the
advent of the cropping process in which the gardener loves to indulge.
A great many plant masses, condenmed on sight as being formless or
ugly banks of foliage, if given liberty from the shears would soon
develop into graceful compositions. Cutting back is necessary in a
great many cases to keep planting within bounds, but this is a tem-
porary remedy rather than a cure. Plants properly selected will not
outgrow their location; and there is no place in which plants cannot be
243
PARK ADMINISTRATION
maintained, of a suitable size when full grown, if sufficient attention
is given to their selection. To emphasise the importance of proper
selection of trees or shrubs for informal plantations, the following
reasons may be given against the present custom of promiscuous
pruning.
EVILS OF PRUNING
1. Loss of form. Exactly as the work of the artisan excels the
factory product in individuality and interest, so does the plant allowed
to assume free and unrestricted foliage expression excel in interest
the uniform specimens, so cropped and mutilated by the hand of the
shearer as to lose all natural identity. Subservience to the shears
means uniformity, which always means loss of individuality. Nature
has a wealth of foliage expression beyond the powers of man even to
comprehend; he should esteem and not suppress it. Once subjected
to the stultifying effects of the pruning shears, nature never again
seems capable of presenting the same beauty and intricacy of foliage
forms as before violated by the hand of man.
2. Loss of light and shade. Besides destroying the delicacy and
grace of natural plant forms, a uniform shearing accomplishes at once
the effect of a poster compared to a landscape painting. By clipping
plant foliage to a smooth surface all refinement of light and shade is
eliminated, the nice differences of tone disappear, and there emerges a
bald two-value composition of high light and shadow. It is an ab-
surdity to permit the park gardener to destroy uncensured the soft
values of a foliage composition, which the landscape designer visualised
and hoped to produce.
SACRIFICE OF BEAUTY
3. Loss of colour. A painter knows that the colour of an object
depends not only upon atmospheric conditions, but upon angles of
light reflection. A uniform surface presents none of the incidental
244
L iH
IBAi
3irf„-»^ ■*
■^
Sheariug-back of foliage coarsens and stunts plant
growth, destroying all sense of freedom and buoyancy
DEBASED PLANTING, WASHINGTON
PARK ADMINISTRATION
variations of colour that the intricately modelled surface displays.
Contrast the monotone of a hedge or closely trimmed shrub with almost
any free growing plant. Branches represent merely the framework
or structure upon which colour harmonies of foliage are displayed,
and Nature seems to be satisfied with her second best in foliage colour-
ing when the branch growth is held to rigid planes.
4. Loss of motion. There is always something dull and dutiful
about trimmed deciduous plants. As a part of a formal, regular garden
design, sheared specimens undoubtedly have a place, contributing as
line or accent to the synthetic composition. Used in the open, however,
as a part of natural scenery, mingling with the very atmosphere and
thrilling to the touch of every passing breeze, there is a grace and
freedom to living trees and shrubs and flowers that trimming seems
to curtail. Swaying branches with trembling leaves join the individual
plants in a fusion of foliage that expresses a living composition.
Shearing back of foliage to prescribed lines coarsens and stunts plant
growth, removes the slender supple branches that contribute to the
nebulous movement and rhythm of foliage masses, and thereby destroys
the buoyancy of a plant composition.
HARMFUL RESULTS OF CROPPING
5. Cause of disease. It is argued that a plant is kept young and
blossoming by constant pruning. Such is true when the removal of
old wood is for replacing with new. In nine cases out of ten, however,
the annual or semi-annual cropping back of shrubs in parks means the
removal of all new wood, the growth of the previous months, with the
result that the plant finds itself back where it started, minus the energy
expended in the process of natural development. During this period
of set-back, many plants are very susceptible to parasitic attacks, and
diseases ordinarily thrown off obtain a foothold, eradicated later with
difficulty. The plants are kept always dependent upon old wood and,
246
Rigid banks of foliage, if give?} liberty from the shears,
irill soon fuse into a graceful composition. If of too
rampant tendencies, other varieties may easily be sub-
stituted
MUTILATED PLANTING, WASHINGTON
PARK ADMINISTRATION
before their time, become decrepit and infirm. Even if able to with-
stand the harsh treatment, their appearance, as seen in many cases of
Hydrangea paniculata, becomes distorted and gnarled like that of an
overworked labourer of the fields. Cropping, the exact opposite of
pruning, is a cause ratlier than a prevention of disease.
NEEDLESS EXPENDITURE
6. Annual cost. At the present day, when increasing demands in
park management are raising the cost of maintenance to a point which
discourages new work, any means of holding down the annual ex-
penditure, even in comparatively small items, is welcomed. Semi-
annual shearing of a large proportion of the park plants represents a
considerable item of expense, especially when it is neither necessary
nor desirable. If, as has been stated, continual cropping is necessary
to keep rampant planting within bounds, it will be cheaper in the long
run to remove it entirely and replace with plant varieties which will
not outgrow their location. From the standpoint of beauty, health or
park maintenance, the usual expenditure for semi-annual cutting back
of park shrubs is profitless and should not be permitted.
HARMONY BETWEEN CO-WORKERS
In general, it may be said that a spirit of compromise between the
co-workers of a park system is imperative, if friction is to be avoided
and the best interests of the work served. In cities where either the
park superintendent or the landscape architect is in full control, in-
stead of the more ideal arrangement of equally divided responsibility,
the one in charge should constantly be on guard lest his autocracy lead
him to underestimate and disregard the phases of the work with which
he may not be conversant. The park superintendent cannot for his
own interest disregard the importance of good planting design, nor can
the landscape architect overlook in the preparation of his designs prac-
248
The prevalent cropping process in which the park
gardener loves to indulge will derange a foliage com-
position and falsify the work of the designer
VITIATED COMPOSITION, WASHINGTON
^
PARK ADMINISTRATION
tical considerations of economy in execution and maintenance. In
our present formulative state, there are also occasional instances in
park systems of men of the younger generation holding positions of
minor importance under park superintendents who have not had equal
advantages of university training in design. These younger men
should not show disresj^ect nor discontent in being denied opportunity
to display their knowledge in design, but should make the most of
their chance to acquire the practical knowledge in which the older park
superintendent excels, so that when the deferred opportunity comes
and they are put to the test, they will not be found lacking in the
practical essentials which will protect them from counter-attack, and
the criticism that their ideas are over theoretical and visionary.
I
The dainty arabesques of the ivoodland carpet, heralding
the approach of spring, are too often but blemishes in
the sight of the efficient park guardian, — to be speedily
eradicated by the lawn moiver
MONTROSE PARK, GEORGETOWN
CHAPTER XIII
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
I sat on one of the benches, at the other end of which Avas seated a man in
ven' shabby clothes. We continued to groan, to hem, and to cough, as usual
upon such occasions; and at last ventured upon conversation.
" I beg pardon, Sir," cried I, " But I think I have seen you before ; your face
is familiar to me."
" Yes, Sir," replied he, " I have a good familiar face, as my friends tell me."
IT WAS in this manner that Oliver Goldsmith met the " Merry
Andrew " at dinner time in St. James Park ; and in similar fashion,
by means of the park bench, many another friendly conversation has
been started between otherwise strangers, — and the democratic spirit
of the country thereby fostered.
If one would study the people of a country, intimately and at first
hand, there is no place where he may be sure to find so representative
a gathering for his purpose as that congregated on the park benches
almost any afternoon. Which would go to show that park benches
are a national institution, of equal importance with parliament build-
ings and the houses where the representatives of the people meet. The
park benches are where the people themselves meet. In the creating
of parks, therefore, let benches neither be omitted nor be given scant
attention in their design and placing and number.
First of all, let them be comfortable. Not by that is meant that a
park bench should be given the ease of a Morris chair, for they are not
primarily for lethal purposes. In humanity's name, though, and until
the lodging problem of the cities' destitute can be adequately solved,
it is less heart-rending that the forsaken ones shall have at least the
hard comfort of a park bench to turn to at nightfall, as in the park
squares of New York City, than that they shall huddle together in
misery, sleeping actually in the gutters, as may be observed any night
in the great city of London.
252
r
It is flagrant neglect or civic poverty which occasions
park scenes such as this
HUMBOLDT PARK, BERLIN
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
SLABS, BENCHES, AND SEATS WITH BACKS
A reasonable per cent, of the park seats should be designed with
backs. Throughout Italy the stone-slab bench is almost universal,
found in many forms and invariably good in proportion and design.
It is the simplest expression of a park seat and always lias a decora-
tive character, no matter how placed. In Italian parks, furthermore,
the benches are invariably located with intelligent regard to artistic
effect, placed to emphasise and accentuate the lines of design in a
general plan. They, therefore, appear doubly decorative. The Italian
people seem to accept the adamantine quality of a stone bench without
protest; and if stone can be less hard to the feel in one country or
climate than another, it must be confessed that the stone bench in
Italian parks and gardens never seems as unimpressionable or cold as
when encountered in other countries.
If an Italian desires a seat with a back, he indulges in the luxury
of a private chair, made of iron, and for which he purchases a ticket
at a charge of five centimes, which amounts to one cent in our money.
These chairs, however, are occupied only during the band concerts, or
by Americans who wonder why all of the separate chairs are so con-
veniently vacant, until called upon by the woman attendant to con-
tribute the required pittance.
As one goes North, the form of the park benches remains much
• the same, though the slab forming the seat is sometimes given a cover-
ing of wood, as shown in the illustration of the seat in the Folkgarten
in Vienna. In Germany we find the stone slabs replaced by wood
entirely, and occasionally the supports also are of wood or iron. The
illustration of the bench used along the Unter den Linden is of that
found generally throughout the Berlin parks. At the same time there
are many benches with backs quite similar to those we are accustomed
to see in America. They are undoubtedly welcome for comfort, but
one mourns their lack of picturesqueness as an element of park scenery.
254
The stone slab is inherent to Italian parks, good {)i
proportion and design, a decorative element
LIZZI PARK, SIENA
«■
Stone benches may be constructed with a wooden top
which renders them less chill without detracting from
their decorative value
HOFGARTEN, VIENNA
lU
v^ ■^>,7^'^:.^.:rc...^...-^mm:.
The flat fonn of bench may be obtained in light and
,s-erviceable wood aiid iron construction
PUBLIC PARK, MUNICH
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
The majority of German benches are very comfortable, and the paid
benches found there seem to have no other reason than one of class
distinction. A comfortable and at the same time beautiful bench is
used near the fountains in the park treatment before the University
of Munich, a double seat arrangement with single back, combining
stone and wood in a very choice design. A curious example of a
reversible seat is shown in the illustration of those used in Zurich,
Switzerland. Other examples of European benches are shown, which
may prove suggestive to the designer of park benches in this country.
An exceptional design, particularly unique in park work in Italy, is
that used in large number along the main promenade of the water-
front park in Naples. It is of stone, massive in size yet graceful, and
has somewhat the character of an exedra seat. This design, in sim-
plified form, was executed in cement by the writer several years ago
with good success. The design of park benches must always of course
be more or less dependent upon proposed location and use, — especially
in relation to formal design in parks.
SEATS TO BE PLACED INTELLIGENTLY
The placing of park seats should not be left to happenstance.
Neither should a senseless system in their disposition be adopted and
adhered to without investigation of the subject in the first place and
discerning observation ever after. In the Tiergarten Park in Berlin,
the rule apparently is that on all straight lines the seats shall be
vis-a-vis; on curving walks the seats shall be isolated. With what
result? In the early afternoon, every lone seat is taken, but only one
each of every pair of seats. Without exception, the other seat of each
two placed opposite is as empty as if bearing the sign " Wet Paint."
Later in the afternoon, the remaining seats are taken, for Berlin parks
are not over-generous in the number of seats provided for the throngs
that visit them ; but it is clearly evident that single seats are considered
258
Simple ivooden benches are sightly and seemly. Note
their correct location on one side of the walk only
PUBLIC PARK, BUDAPEST
H
r'.l
11
Double seats are economical of construction, and find
suitable location along the centre liyie of broad walks
UNIVERSITY PLATZ, MUNICH
Photograph by H. W. Peaslee.
.4 movable back permits a seat to be reversed in direc-
tion, an ingenious idea originating in Switzerland
PUBLIC PARK, ZURICH
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
preferable to seats vis-a-vis. This occurs, moreover, in the early after-
noon, not in the evening when " pairs " are expected to gravitate to
single seats and only early comers and those with previous experience
can hope for isolated seats.
Who doesn't feel sorry for the young couples nowadays, for whom
secluded shady lanes are no more; who, seeking the solitude of a park
bench in the evening dusk, find it either preempted by a dog in the
manger, or else fully exposed to the glare of an all-revealing electric
light. One would wish for them again :
" The hawthorn bush with seats beneath the shade,
For talking age and whispering lovers made ! "
It does not seem desirable to leave our parks as inadequately
lighted as most European parks, ])ut it is possible to be a little less
harsh in spot-lighting the benches.
There is another reason why single park seats are always more
popular than seats placed opposite each other: people don't like to be
stared at. Also, when they go out to the park, they in turn don't want
to stare across a walk at other people, but wish to enjoy a prospect of
park scenery. In the Berlin Tiergarten of all places, — where the
lovely woodland views charm and recreate the eye, and the ear is lulled
with distant hum of voices intermingled with the murmuring of leaves
and the floating sounds of music from the many cafes of the Weg den
Zelten, where the royal cars of state signal their coming with the
echoing notes of the bugle-like hiibe, — it is there that a park bench is
endowed with meditative value and should not be depreciated by being
faced with another bench of gaping mortals.
SHADE AND SEAT VISTAS
Generally speaking, seats should be located with several very
definite objects in mind, and with several very definite objections to
be minded. To enumerate the desirable requisites for the placing of
262
nl
For emphasis of a park rond-point, the continuous seat
is a simple expedient and seems integral with the design
BORGHESE GARDENS, ROME
The stone bench may he used to accent and strengthen
the park design
CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE
Seats may serve for architectural expressioji without
losing their ^purpose of use
PIAZZA INDEPENDENZIA, FLORENCE
yH
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
a park seat, we may put first in order the matter of shade. They say
in Mexico that only dogs and Gringoes walk in the sun; we must
eliminate even the latter when it comes to sitting in the sun. Except
for a few early days in Spring and late days in Fall, when the warmth
of the sun feels really good, a park hench located in the sun is a thing
set apart from usefulness. Benches should therefore always be placed
in the shade, or at least so as to enjoy the protection of shadow for a
good part of the day.
Secondly, when possible, park benches should be endowed with an
attractive view. This may be comprehended conversely by stating
that the many beautiful scenes of a park may be emphasised by seats
placed at the best respective places of vantage. In a well or properly
designed park, these points will indicate themselves and usually are
the places where the observer unconsciously pauses for a moment in
pleasant contemplation. Especially desirable are seats overlooking
water scenes, and the various vistas may be individually studied with
reference to such seating places. In the neighbourhood of all points
of interest, such as fountains, architectural features, and floral dis-
plays, it is well to have ample accommodation of seats. The seats in
the vicinity of the play areas for small children in the German parks
are occupied with real pleasure, quite at variance with the park seats
in the vicinity of the riotous American playgrounds; but with this
exception, we may follow the example of the European park design
in congregating seats about centres of interest.
PROTECTION AND SECLUSION
Thirdly, as many seats as may be are well given a sequestered
aspect. This is not possible in small centrally located parks, but in
the larger parks, seats are desirably placed in sheltered positions, in
nooks and coves of the walks, where they will be more or less free from
scrutiny except of the occasional passer-by. In English village parks,
26G
Photog^raph by H. AV. Peaslee.
The Swiss parks abound in examples of wood and
cement seats, combining the two materials in decorative
and durable forms. The seats are always located with
reference to view or other feature of the park design
PUBLIC GARDEN, GENEVA
There is a solid substantial look about a stone bench
that gives an appearance of stability to park scenes
PUBLIC GARDEN, GENOA
H
Parks too restricted for development can still offer seat-
ing accommodation
SMALL TRIANGLE, MUNICH
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
the seats are sometimes sheltered with a hood and closed in at the back.
They appear very snug and comfortable. Examples of this type of
seat may be seen in Franklin Park, Boston, but it is an expensive type
to build and much the same sense of screen at the back of the seat may
be obtained by means of planting. Such planting gives the added
advantage of shade and shadow, as well as demonstrating the fact that
the view lies before the observer and for the enjoyment of which the
seat has been expressly placed.
Fourthly, and in particular relation to small city parks closely
confined within encompassing streets, seats should always be placed
facing into the park area. One seeks a park more or less as a retreat
from the irritating bustle of the ordinary city street. He wishes to
close his eyes to the cinematographic review. In the Battery Park
at Charleston, S. C, there is a long row of seats, comprising more
than half the entire supply in the park, placed facing away from view
of the park and with back to the water view as well ; an absurd arrange-
ment. Seats are best located at the outer portion of the park, facing
toward the interior, to allow the eye to behold the full extent of park
scene and to conceal from it, as much as possible, indication of the
street life adjoining. With this same object in mind, it was recom-
mended in the planting of small city parks that there be border plant-
ings to shut out sound and view of the bounding streets.
GAPERS AND LOITERERS
Fifthly, seats are advantageously placed only along secondary or
ramble walks, and never bordering main or cross-line walks. This
cannot be too strongly emphasised, and holds true for any and all size
of parks. What is more disconcerting to the average pedestrian than
to be obliged to run the gauntlet of a double row of gazing idle spec-
tators, if the walk chance to be narrow, and few other pedestrians are
passing his way! He feels like the white captive who for freedom
270
lB3i
There may he ^pleasant originality in the construction
of park seats ivhen unusual elements are at hand. Note
that the seats face icithin the park, a virtue self-explana-
tory in this case
PIAZZA VITTORIO EMANUELE, ROME
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
must pass through a rain of flying tomahawks. Many a woman, to
avoid the inevitable comment, prefers the long way round to the short
way through such a lane of seats. Especially in the evening is it apt to
be the rendezvous of " mashers " ; and some parks, supposedly well
policed, are often frequented by characters of a sort that make it
dangerous for a woman to pass through unattended. Without park
seats placed along these main cross lines, there can be no excuse for
loiterers, and an annoyance by day and a danger by night will be
eliminated.
Furthermore, as already pointed out, no average person likes to sit
one of a row of people, with another row of people directly facing.
There is enough of this sort of thing in the street cars ! It's a wonder
even in street cars that the seats shouldn't be arranged back to back
down the centre, allowing the passengers to look out of the windows
instead of at each other or at the row of already memorised advertise-
ments. If there is room enough on top of an omnibus for such an
arrangement, why isn't there room enough inside for the same?
The one exception when seats may properly be placed opposite
each other is in the case of promenade walks. There they are located
for formal effect in the design and for the gratification of the park
visitor. Such seats, when used, are more or less like box seats at a
theatre, — the occupants are to see and to be seen. It is evident, there-
fore, that in this case the elementary purpose of the seat is not that of
rest and relaxation, and its arrangement may not be taken as con-
tradicting the general rule. Generally speaking, if seats are to fulfil
their purpose of offering a place for rest and quiet, they must be
placed only along the secondary lines of the park plan.
AMPLE SEATING ACCOMMODATION
There is but one other point to be emphasised, — let there be seats
enough for any and all that come! It will not be necessary to speckle
272
Seatb' along promenade walks may he placed vis-a-vi,i,
for the occupants have no aversion to being stared at.
Such seats should be ample in number to prevent
crotvding and to meet the demand
UNTER DEN LINDEN, BERLIN
(Compare El Promenade, Lima, Peru. Page 131)
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
the entire park with seats, if the seating problem is considered as a
part of the design of the park and not as an after-thought. An
especially flagrant example of seats treated as an after-condition,
rather than as a fundamental factor in the design of a park, may be
observed in Madison Square Garden, New York City, where every
walk, by dire necessity, has become outlined with a continuous row of
benches on each side, an obvious example where the design of the park
should be re-studied to free the main cross lines from such disturbance,
at the same time providing more ample and adequate accommodation
for the very great number of seats undeniably needed in that park.
The single continuous bench for secondary walks, designed as a
unit in itself and yet as an integral part of the park as a whole, has
been used in King's Park, Gibraltar, with good effect. The illustra-
tion of a similar seat in the Fortezza Park in Florence shows a clever
combining of a low retaining wall with steps and seats. The picture
was taken in the early morning and the one small boy giving scale to
the picture would not have been posed there in the sun except on the
promise of ample remuneration. In the late afternoon, however,
when this long seat becomes shaded, it is thronged with people watch-
ing the iridescent rainbows of the beautiful fountain and the pretty
scene of children absorbed in feeding the schools of gold fish in the
water basin. It is then that every inch of this seat is occupied and all
have repeatedly " moved up " until there is scarcely room for one
more. This seat extends the entire length of the large water basin and
yet is so much a part of the park design that it does not appear exag-
gerated. The effect is far more restful than would be obtained by a
great number of closely crowded, end-to-end park benches of the
ordinary type.
There is a striking arrangement of stone benches in the Piazza
dellTndependenzia, Florence, where a great number of benches are
placed in a formal line along the outer edge of the park in the nature
274
Low retaining walls may he constructed in the form of
seats, thus serving to double purpose
FORTEZZA PARK, FLORENCE
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS
of an architectural barrier; they serve to all purposes of utility and
yet appear very trim and decorative. In Dresden, the park benches
are constructed in sections in such a way that any length may be
obtained that the design calls for, an advantageous arrangement. In
all European Parks the benches of the type which we use in this
country are made considerably longer, and by being constructed in a
somewhat more substantial fashion, the proportion still appears to
be o-ood. We miffht well emulate this heavier and longer type of
bench, for the added acconmiodation.
Whatever style or length of a bench we use, let the supply equal
the demand. A park, like a church, must be made attractive if people
are to attend. What a woeful attendance there would be in the
churches, and even in the theatres for that matter, if all were assured
before arrival that they would be obliged to stand the entire time while
there. Let the assurance be the other way about, — that there will
always be a best seat for every comer.
The sectional settee confonns to eccejitricities of the
pari' design
BURGERWIESE PARK, DRESDEN
CHAPTER XIV
DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS
THE French landscape gardeners adorn their lawns with flowers
in the form of scrolls, the Germans in bands and straight lines,
the Italians in all sorts of curious shaped beds, the English plant in
masses and natural growing borders, — but the Americans still cling to
that first of all conceived form, the circle! Professor John George
Jack, of the Arnold Arboretum, once said to a class of students, pos-
sibly in a spirit of jest, that he could identify most twigs with his eyes
shut, from the sound of their swish through the air. Anyone can
identify an American park with his eyes shut at the first stumble into
a round flower-bed. Not that occasional round flower-beds may not
be found in European parks, but nowhere has the plague taken hold
in such virulent form as in American parks.
Why is a round flower-bed anathematised by the landscape de-
signer and enthused over by the lay observer? Because the one sees it
violating lines of design, the other rioting in colour. Just as the
savage admires a bright stone or a shining bit of metal or the gleam-
ing teeth of the wild beast, and adorns himself with them for their
glitter and sparkle, so our people of advanced civilisation, by a strange
reversion to primitive taste, adorn parks with the flower-bed for its
gaudy brightness. Moreover, as the savage will discard his primitive
jewelry for a flaming bit of calico, so will modem man discard the
heliotrope and ageratum for the flamboyancy of the scarlet salvia.
EMPHATIC NEED OF DESIGN
The trained eye sees a circular flower-bed as a spot of design which
in line and mass should relate to all other lines and masses in its sur-
roundings. It is similar to a button on a jacket. A button is a circular
spot of design, which relates at least to the buttonhole, or vice versa;
278
A round flower bed has no more reason for being in
this composition than the wheel-barroiv
MAXIMILIAN PARK, MUNICH
DISPOSITION OF FLO\\ERS IN PARKS
and when used for ornament only, is governed in its placing by certain
existing lines in the design of the coat or other garment which it is
supposed to embellish. Let but three buttons be attached to a woman's
gown at random, and she will become an object of curiosity; let them
be placed with mischievous intent and she can be turned into an object
of ridicule; let them be of three different sizes and colours, — but why
continue the sacrilege! And yet nine out of ten American parks have
not only three but a half dozen or a dozen similar circular spots of
all sizes and every colour deposited like random buttons over its
green areas.
Round flower-beds are usually scattered much as seeds by the
sower; some fall in the shade, and perish for want of sun; some on
poor ground, and wither and die from lack of nourishment ; and some
on good ground, and they blossom forth amazingly. Would they
were all like the chaff which tlie wind bloweth away !
But to return to the former simile, a button is placed not only in
reference to lines of design, as for instance in the second row of buttons
up the front of a man's double-breasted coat when only one row is
needed, but even in form has a meaning. A button is round, because
in that form it is most easily passed through a button-hole ; square or
triangular, it becomes like the camel and the needle's eye, as any man
knows who has struggled with angular-shaped cuff buttons. A flower-
bed, on the other hand, has no particular reason for being round. It
could just as well be square, or hexagonal or diamond-shaped, so far
as usefulness is concerned, for it has no use. It has no better reason
for being round than a cookie !
NO LIMIT IN PROFUSION
" But are we to have no flowers in the parks? " someone will ask-
Assuredly yes, for these are not Calvinistic times, when a flower is a
sinful thing. We may have flowers and plenty of them, but placed
280
m
Guard against floral pox, an eruptive disease which
disfigures park areas in a frightful manner
VILLA BELLINI, CATANIA, ITALY
DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS
with some relation to the laws of the Universe, and not like the comet
" in the infinite meadows of heaven! "
Undoubtedly the loveliest way to use flowers, at least the old-
fashioned hardy perennials, is in riotous profusion along the edge of
shrubbery borders, enlivening the depth of the shadows and accenting
the points of high light. The Maria Josepha Park in Vienna is unex-
celled in planting composition of this sort ; and the grace and natural-
ness with which hollyhocks and phlox and tall-growing lilies seem
merely to happen to be in just the right spot in the foliage compositions
suggest the technique and finesse of the painter more than the hand
of the gardener.
The English gardeners, while excelling in composition of perennial
borders and while adept in combinations of hedges and flower gardens,
do not seem to have realised yet the possibilities of shrub and perennial
flower composition. For that matter, they apparently have little
estimation for shrubs at all, — " brush," as one Englishman called it.
A park from the English viewpoint has but one interpretation: that
of trees and open lawn arranged in what is known as the pastoral
style, — shrubs and flowers belong to the garden. When there are
flower displays in English parks, as along the main drive in Hyde
Park and the various walks of St. James Park, they appear heedless
of design in their arrangement and without relation to their surround-
ings, presenting merely a vividness and brilliancy of colour.
In the parks of Naples, shrubbery plantations are customarily
given a formal edging of annual flowers, kept in one variety and very
uniform and tnm, which gives the planting a somewhat smart effect,
but at the same time a high-collared, manicured look. In like respect,
the pansies and English daisies edging the rhododendron beds in
Central Park, which are decorous blossoms in themselves, give a dandi-
fied appearance to the otherwise naturalistic and beautiful mass effects
there.
282
Hardy perennials tvhich will bloom several years ivith-
out replacing may be economically substituted in many
of the park flower beds planted annually
FRIEDRICH KARL PLATZ, BERLIN
DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS
Annual flowers, known as bedding plants, cannot be combined
happily with shmb masses. They are too temporal in character, and
always appear to be substituted for some more permanent growing
plant. They should be planted in beds by themselves, — and here we
are back at the round flower-bed again. One almost wants to cheer
as at sight of the national flag after a long time away.
THE FORM OF FLOWER-BEDS
If not circular, what form of flower-beds should we have? The
answer is that flowery beds should not be disposed in arbitrary form.
They should not take form , but conform . In the triangular area left by
three intersecting walks, the consistent form for a flower-bed is a
triangle; in a long rectangular space between two parallel walks, the
flower-bed naturally becomes a rectangular panel ; in an approximately
square place, a square bed or some simple knot or straight line parterre
is appropriate. The odd-shaped areas left between curving walks may
sometimes, as in Spanish work, be entirely converted into flower plant-
ings, giving the eff'ect of a floral carpet instead of a planting for display.
The surest recourse in laying out flower-beds is to repeat or parallel
some dominant line in the design of the park, or to accentuate some
existing feature. A continuous bed of flowers along each side of a
driveway, as shown in the illustration of Riverside Park, Jacksonville,
is a harmonious arrangement. The grass strip frequently left between
a water basin and the encircling walk can often be converted into a
flower display. Flower-beds can be made to follow lines of balus-
trades as at the entrance to the Berlin Tiergarten shown in the illus-
tration. Almost any straight line walk can be accompanied on one or
both sides by a series of beds paralleling its general direction. Also, a
well-defined central or axial line of a park will permit and become
agreeably emphasised by symmetrical flanking beds of flowers. The
usual mistake is to locate flower-beds on the axis line. The attention
284
Floiver beds paralleling walks and driveways are kindred
and contributory to the design
RIVERSIDE PARK, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS
is thereby distracted from the fountain or architectural feature or what-
ever is the real point of interest beyond.
RELATION TO THE PARK PLAN
A flower-bed may in itself be the main point of interest, and, as a
matter of fact, could well replace many a frightful statue occupying
the position of honour in a park. In such case the flower-bed may be
round, as in that position it becomes a dominating element, and the
other lines of the park will in a sense conform to it. Unless the flower-
bed be the feature or focal point of interest, it is a disturbing element
of the design when admitted to an axial position. This may be stated
as a rule. To prove that it is a good rule, we need but mention that
there is an exception to it : a flower-bed may adorn the axis line, if the
axis line be what is known as imphed rather than expressed, if the view
be a very extended one, and if the flower display be kept in the very
near foreground. This is a set of conditions, however, not for the
amateur to dabble with, for the lines of the flower-bed itself must ex-
press some recognition of its dispensated placing. The Johanna Park
in Leipsic handles this particular placing of flower-beds so well as to
appear almost indifferent to it; and spreads out intricate floral pat-
terns, close under the feet of the observer, in the foreground of almost
every view. The pattern lines, however, are always well studied to
carry the attention through and beyond, and there is never the slightest
competition between floral display and offscape. The view from the
central terrace of the Royal Castle in Charlottenburg on the other
hand illustrates an instance where a round flower-bed emphatically
interrupts the line of sight to the view beyond.
Flower-beds of all kinds are best kept associated with the more
formal parts of park design. They are particularly suitable for the
smaller parks of a town or city, especially those near the centre which
have been classified as display parks. There is no type of flower-bed
286
Floiver beds that folloiv structural lines of the park
design will appear orderly and never erratic
TIERGARTEN, BERLIN
Floral hands which outline in a general way the grass
areas of a formal design will endorse and strengthen
the park plan
LUISENPLATZ, BERLIN
-,&.'<'._.;5/4.j»aa
'imirTiirifTiTniiii^^
Floral hands may he executed with considerable in-
formality of material unthont loss of park emphasis
TRIANGULAR PARK, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)
DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS
so creditable for this purpose as that exhibited in the many small
parks and squares of Berlin. The grass areas of the formal academic
park designs are usually outlined with simple floral bands, varying in
width with the scale of the park. They are kept slightly back from the
walk line with a strip of grass. The planting of these bands is always
very low and restrained in character, with few and well considered
vertical accents. The effect is neither ostentatious nor cold, but rather
what the architect speaks of as good mosaic, meaning that the floral
bands serve as secondary or supplementary lines endorsing and
amplifying the fundamental lines of the general plan.
VALUE AND CONTROL OF COLOUR
After the location and shape of the bed, it is colour which counts
for park effect rather than interest of individual bloom. Consequently
the closer the flowering plants may be set without injury to their
growth and the denser the trusses of bloom which may be obtained,
the more commendation the planting beds will invambly receive. The
bloom of the single hyacinth, for example, with the flowers loosely
arranged about a pliant stalk, is considered more graceful in individual
aspect than the stiff, unyielding double varieties whose flowers are
thickly set about a rigid stalk, but there are more individual flowers
composing each bloom of the latter and therefore more colour for
display in the park flower-bed.
In regard to selection of colours, and it can be expressed almost in
a word, let good taste prevail. The less colours are mixed in park
display, the better satisfaction will be given. A jumble of colours,
even if harmonious of themselves, will appear displeasing. Avoid
inharmonious combinations. Until one is absolutely sure of himself in
this respect, a good rule to follow in the use of bedding plants is to
confine the display, in small parks at least, to one colour and white.
Certain colours are so insistent as to appear quarrelsome even though
290
A flower bed intercepting the line of sight to the focal
point of the park picture will irritate tlie spectator unless
the bed is composed to lead the eye through and beyond
FARRAGUT PARK, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)
DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS
separated and relieved by white. Even when colours which jar are
not actually within sight of one another, the retina of the eye or sub-
conscious sense retains the previous impression for a moment or two,
like the last chord of a harmony, and expects a proper sequence of
colour as of key. Most to be tabooed are bedding plants which com-
bine many and vivid colours in the same actual flower, as the case of
the Parrot Tulip, which, for other reasons as well, fortunately is losing
favour with park planters.
If a combination of colours is desired, it is best to obtain it by
assembling different varieties of plants, such as white hyacinths bor-
dered with purple pansies, rather than by an assortment of different
colours of the same plant. In floral combination, Berlin again offers
the best examples to be found in park work. Few colours are used
and always in plain washes, as the artist would say; that is, in broad
expanses of slightly contrasting tones, and never mixed together in
small dashes of violently contracting colours as in impressionistic
painting. Also, in Berlin, the colours are approximately all obtained
by flower bloom, without recourse to bright-leaved j^lants, such as
used in America, to coloured stones and gravel, as found in the French
parterres, or to the dry and artificial looking cactus enii^loyed in the
Italian patterns. That most difficult colour for summer bedding,
yellow, is obtained with matricaria and lantana hybrids.
ONE-COLOUR EFFECTS
The simplest colour displays are usually the most pleasing. That
the public has a liking for single and separated colours has been proven
in Washington by the enthusiastic comment on the recently-introduced .
one-colour effects in the tulip and pansy beds after a Joseph-coat regime j|
of many years. The growing fondness in America for Cannas is a r
healthy sign, for though lacking fineness of detail in leaf and flower,
the plants are good in colour and rarely discordant with park scenery.
292
■:-jf^'^.,oi,.^g:^.
■r^ti'.
^ttrf^ Sif^'*J!tl:
■"si^^-^jiL^jkt^
A heautiful (ffed may he obtained hy framing a bed
of perpetual blooming roses in a narrow border of
heliotrope separated from the former hy a strip of grass
TREPTOWER PARK, BERLIN
I
DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS
Such varieties as Uncle Sam, King Humbert and Richard Wallace,
with simple edging of Pennisetum grass or white-leaved Centaurea,
are vastly preferable to the beds of speckled-leaved tropical plants
in evidence throughout the parks less than a dozen years ago.
The public generally is found to have a liking for fresh and clear
colours such as vermilion red, canary yellow and intense blue or
purple, — all of which colours may be obtained in plant bloom and which
make effective colour display. There is also a reviving affection for
that glowing first emigrant to American soil, — the Red Geranium. One
has but to see it in its pride and glory in Holland and throughout the
Rhineland, to honour it for all time. May it come more and more into
its own in this country, — but given a formal and dignified bearing,
free from the insignificance and impertinence of the round flower-
bed, which can demean the most royal and rare of floral colour display.
In large parks it is not necessary always to confine
the floivers to trim arid formal beds; daffodils and nar-
cissus and even field daisies may be allowed the freedom
of certain grassy places ivithout hazard to park dignity
POPPIES IN PUBLIC PARK, BOLOGNA, ITALY
CHAPTER XV
PARK UTILITIES
IF tlie roof of a man's house continually leaks, of what use is the
liouse to him as a hahitation, be it ever so beautiful ?
Beauty presupposes utility, as Van Pelt has said. A broom with a
richly carved handle is not more valuable as a broom, although it may be
more beautiful. It is of less value, on the contrary, if so much atten-
tion has been devoted to enriching the handle that none has been paid
to the fastening in of the straws, and they consequently fall out. The
" silver handle " shaving brush usually moults after about the second
application of hot water, and before Xew Year's the old hard-rubber
handle brush is back in service again. Beauty without utility is vain.
In the design of anything, the use to which it is to be put should be
of first consideration, and this is especially true in the matter of parks.
The average person guilelessly believes that parks are more for orna-
ment than for use, and therefore that the first consideration should be
of ait rather than utility. The artistic development of a park, how-
ever, cannot be stable unless based upon recognition of the funda-
mental principle of utility. As pointed out in Chapter III, on Prin-
ciples, strength of park design is always dependent upon utility, and
weak design cannot be concealed by any amount of ornamentation.
A park Mill depend for enrichment upon the amplification of its
facilities — upon the number and character of its appurtenances, rather
than upon the elaborateness of its design. Useless elaboration of
design will be distinctly annoying, if essayed for that purpose alone.
What a park is for must always be the governing thought in its de-
sign; and the most certain way of jeopardising the beautiful in a
park is to forego adequate consideration of its requirements.
What are the utilitarian features of a park? The answer will be
296
The milk booths in European parks are quaint and
picturesque, and serve to far more healthful purpose than
do the American soda fountains
LATTERIA, PUBLIC GARDEN, MILAN
MILCH HAUS, BUERGERWIESE PARK, DRESDEN
PARK UTILITIES
the Yankee one, " What are the uses of a park? " Parks are pro-
vided, not only for recreation of the mind, but to promote health and
comfort of the body. The facihties, therefore, which administer to the
needs and convenience of visitors may be called the utilities of parks.
Seating, provisions for shelter and public comfort, refresliment places,
receptacles for the throwing of rubbish, and means of lighting all come
under the category of park utilities. None of these can be omitted
without inconvenience to visitors and peril to the practical success of
the park. Upon the nicety of their design, moreover, will depend
the artistic finish of the park.
SEATS AND SHELTERS
The need of seats in parks is obvious ; it is expected that they shaU
be provided, and it is presupposed that they shall be substantial and
reasonably good-looking. Their appearance and the manner of their
placing have usually been a discredit to parks, a matter which is con-
sidered of sufficient importance to justify the presentation of the
previous chapter on the subject.
Provisions for shelter are an indispensable adjunct to parks,
especially so in those of such extent that considerable time is required to
reach the exits in the sudden advent of showers or inclement weather.
Such provisions for shelter may take a variety of forms, but simple
designs in rough-hewn timber or field stone are preferable to exotic
palmetto shacks or pagodas. Whether shelters are provided for shade
or to furnish protection from sudden change in weather, the park
designer need not fear the inclusion of too many in a park, provided
they are not so uniform in design as to appear monotonous, or so
within sight of one another as to appear crowded. The matter of their
location will be governed by conditions, and is so controlled by the
general design that no independent direction may be given for their
placing.
298
Lunching at tables in the open is a pleasure of Euro-
pean parks zvhich might well be Americanized
PUBLIC GARDEN. VENICE
PARK UTILITIES
PLACES OF HKl'RESHMENT
One of the well-developed facilities of European park design
which should by all means he introduced in this country is that of
places of refreshment. The great open-air cafes and eating pavilions
of foreign parks, such as those of the Pincian Gardens at Rome, the
Bois dc Roulogne, in Paris, the Tiergarten, at Berlin, and the Stadt-
trarten, of A^ienna, are always favourite haunts of Americans abroad.
It is too soon to hope that such fine establishments may be made a part
of American parks, but smaller places of refreshment are possible of
immediate realisation. In American parks, soda water and indigestible
notions must be accepted in substitute for wholesome edibles by those
who may have neglected to bring lunches or liad not intended to re-
main for any considerable length of time. It would be very desirable
if wholesome refreshments could be obtained in several different places
within a park and at a reasonable price.
One of the fine features of European parks in this respect are the
booths where milk may be obtained w ith some simple form of cracker
or small cakes. They are of inestimable value, not only to the chil-
dren, but to the grown-ups; and a drink of warm or cold milk, as
individual taste may prefer, is a splendid substitute for the sweet soda
drinks of this country. In the Public Garden at Milan the Latteria
has been made an especial feature of interest by being designed as a
model dairy on a small scale; one may look over the serving counter
directly to where the cows are being milked, and everything is kept in
such a state of spick-and-spanness that one drinks cool milk there on a
hot day as though it were a special nectar. The walks of the park are
led by the open windows of the cow stanchions and serve as a never-
ending source of excitement and interest to the great numbers of
small children always congregated there. Similar milk houses, though
on smaller scale, are to be found throughout the parks of Germany and
Austria, and the fact that a generous glass of milk may be obtained
300
There should be places of refreshment in all large parks,
well established and attractive — not merely peripatetic
lunch carts or pop-corn wagons
PARK CAFE, BUDAPEST
PARK UTILITIES
for two cents, only twice the price of obtaining a sanitary cup in this
country, means that this park luxury is within the means of all. There
is no real reason why this feature should not be introduced in every
American park, and the only reason appearing at present to prevent
it is the lack of some park official with courage to take the initiative.
In the New York City parks there are five milk stations, operated by
the Nathan Straus Pasteurised Milk Laboratory, a private philan-
thropic venture, at which milk is sold at one cent a glass, but the writer
knows of no American park board which has yet given such a project
recognition or support.
COMFORT STATIONS
Of the greatest imj)ortance in the matter of park facilities is that
of the public comfort station. This is a park need that can be neglected
only with grave peril. There have been two conditions in the past
which have conduced to its omission in park design : first, the old ques-
tion of false modesty, which is outraged at having conveniences of this
sort provided in parks ; and, secondly, the inadequate attention which
has been paid by park designers to the location and appearance of
these necessary buildings.
It is not a matter for argument that such buildings are a public
necessity, and that parks are often the only available and the most
serviceable place where they may be located. It is unreasonable to
expect hotels and department stores to provide such conveniences for
the public, and dependence upon them often incurs embarrassing situ-
ations for the individual. In this country it is demanded that comfort
stations be built underground, an expensive proceeding and beyond
the means of many municipalities. The inability to make such dis-
position of the problem has in many cases resulted in dodging the
issue by leaving matters in statu quo, which usually means either in-
adequate provision or unsightly and often unsanitary conditions. Even
302
Comfort stafio?h<} in Germany are often supplemented
with newspaper stands and open stalls for the sale of
cigars and souvenirs
FRIEDRICHS RING, DRESDEN
PARK UTILITIES
in a park of small area, it is possible to provide a public comfort build-
ing that shall be in every respect inoffensive, and may be made ex-
tremely decorative, contributing even to the park beauty. It is a
matter of design. The very effective treatment of the entrances to
the underground stations in the park at the Public Library in Xew
York City, well studied and choice in design, has been contrasted with
the miserable structures in Madison and Union Squares and used to
substantiate the argument for underground stations. The contrast is
striking, but is more applicable in the sense that the former is an
example of good architecture correctly placed, while the latter would
be condemned both for wretchedness of architecture and for incorrect-
ness of location.
LOCATION AND DESIGN
In regard to the locating of comfort stations, they should always
be kept away from the centre of the park. To a person looking within
a park, all objects within the range of his vision will come in for a
share of his attention; and any building, no matter for what purpose
erected, will attract some of his interest. In that respect a comfort
station located well within the park area becomes an object of interest,
for there may be both agreeable and disagreeable objects of interest.
As a general rule to be observed, no building in a park should be
located where it will command attention as a foreign element; for
while it is not the purpose of park design to create any illusion of
naturalistic landscape transplanted to ur})an site, it is within the
province of park design to render park scenery as naturalistic as
possible in agreeable contrast with the usual architectural scene. It
is, therefore, desirable to place such building where it will escape the
attention of a person looking within the park. This necessarily means
either at his elbow, as it were, or at the far side of the park from which
he may be entering. In other words, public comfort stations should
304
Comfort stations are best located to compose ivith the
general framing of the park. They may be separated
from the street by planting or courtyard treatm^ent
PIAZZA VITTORIO EIVLANUELE, ROME
PARK UTILITIES
be placed on the outskirts of parks, and in that location will rarely be
found to appear conspicuous or obtrusive.
In design, they should be made to assume a character which will
compose with the general framing of the park, and, as pointed out in
the chapter on Architecture in Parks, their architectural style and
material should be influenced both by the character of the park and by
the architecture of the encircling streets. It is always desirable that
such a building be kept low, subdued in colour and restrained in design.
It is not necessary nor desirable that it be heavily screened with plant-
ing. Often the most certain way to attract attention is to attempt
concealment. Rather let the building frankly express its purpose,
with no attempt at subterfuge. The approaches may be designed in
such way as to lead very close to the buildings without announcing it
as their sole destination, with minor walks leading to the building by
which it w^ill be possible to enter without any cause for embarrassment.
Such a building should compose with the planting of the park, rather
than attempt to hide behind or within it.
INCONSPICUOUS BUT NOT CONCEALED
In connection with the planting recommendation that certain parks
should be more or less enclosed and protected by mass plantations
along the edges of the park, it will be found that the comfort station
may be made a part of the framing mass of such park and serve to
augment it. In Rome there are two exami^les of comfort stations
thus placed which do not attract attention from one direction or the
other. They are designed as part of the street boundary, set back
slightly by means of a forecourt, heavily shaded on the park side,
though not screened, and appear in no way conspicuous. Such build-
ings, however, may face toward the park equally well, as in the case of
several comfort stations recently erected in Washington, and will not
attract attention, l)ut rather direct attention within the park. If the
306
From within the park, a comfort station may appear
incidental and decorative. It is a matter of placement
and architectural design
LINCOLN PARK, WASHINGTON
mai
PARK UTILITIES
interior arrangement of a comfort station is properly designed and
maintained, the building will not be found to be utilised only by
prowlers, as has been asserted. The new comfort stations in the
Washington parks are constantly being made use of by the general
public.
In European cities the comfort stations are sometimes designed
and supplemented with newspaper stands or open stalls for the sale
of cigars, post-cards and souvenirs. It has been suggested for this
country that if, in addition to the ordinary service, there were provided
telephones, city directories, and facilities for checking bundles, etc.,
the buildings would prove less objectionable. This appears, however,
to be merely a subterfuge and evasion of the problem, and while it
might be desirable to add such a service to comfort stations, such addi-
tions should be made in response to a demand for them, rather than
for the purpose of making a comfort station appear in the guise of
something else. In the Washington stations, locker rooms have been
provided for the park watchmen and a storage yard added to the rear
of the buildings, which have thus increased their usefulness.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS
Drinking fountains in parks should be numerous and of the
modern sanitary type. Many appliances are offered to the trade for
rendering the old style fountains hygienic. In design and material,
park drinking fountains should appear suitable for outdoor use.
Cement or unglazed terra-cotta should be substituted for the white
vitrified bubble-fountains which are rapidly gaining place in the parks
and appear disturbingly like betrayed bathroom fixtures. A con-
certed demand from park authorities for outdoor character in the
material and design of the modern type of drinking fountains will soon
encourage terra-cotta manufacturers to enter the field for supplying
this park accessory.
308
A bubble fountain in terra cotta converted from a sun
dial pedestal. Feiv maniifaciurers are yet offering drinh-
i)ig fountains of this type in material of decorative out-
door character
LOGAN PARK, WASHINGTON
PARK UTILITIES
PARK LIGHTING
Lighting, without doubt, is a matter of park necessity. Park
hghting should always be ample, though that is not to say it need be
offensively glaring — there is no reason why a park should be lighted as
brilliantly as a street, where all shadows must be dispelled to prevent
collision of vehicles. A certain sense of duskiness within a park pre-
cinct is very desirable of a summer evening, and could well be allowed
in as far as may be found compatible with order in the park. The
placing of light standards should be determined in general with regard
to even distribution of light and at the same time with reference to the
lines of the park design. It is obvious that a light should not be so
placed as to interfere during the day with view or vista, and thus
become a detracting element in the park design. In formal work, in
fact, they may be made to serve as very helpful accents of the design,
and should be used for this purpose by the park designer much as light
standards or other fixtures are used by architects in the composition
of their buildings.
It is a foregone conclusion that in a park which is to be developed
to the highest artistic standards, appurtenances of the park should be
designed for beauty of individual detail. In the intensive develop-
ment of parks in foreign cities, even the receptacles for the depositing
of waste paper are designed conscientiously, as may be seen in the
illustration of the refuse baskets in the parks in Budapest. Light
standards, even more, should exhibit intelligent design, pleasing in
proportion and line. They should never appear over-ornamented.
Much has been accomplished in our cities within the last few years
toward the improvement of street lighting fixtures, but the good work
has rarely extended to an improvement of park lights.
PARK UTILITIES OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE
It will be found that any of the facilities enumerated cannot be
omitted without detracting from the success of the park. One need
310
*«^ ^^■' ^'^ww^;'"''"''''^
^Sa:::^^^
Vines are one expedient to bring light standards into
park character
KOENIG ALBERT PARK, LEIPSIC
POTOIVIAC PARK, WASHINGTON
•-""^H
PARK UTILITIES
never fear that adequate recognition of the iitihtarian requirements
will jeopardise the beautiful in park design. The danger lies the
other way about. It is predestined that a park well cared for will be
beautiful; in most instances it is created with that avowed purpose,
and ample attention will always be lavished upon that phase of its
development and maintenance. Inadequate attention to the utilitarian
features, with lack of consideration for human health, comfort and
convenience, will automatically render parks unworthy of the effort
expended in their acquisition — " bubbles bought with a whole soul's
tasking."
•y-«i*&Vi!^S8feiijli!S?ii!«,-.*?23BiKH!
There may be an expression of design even in receptacles
for waste paper and refuse
THE VAROSLIGET, BUDAPEST
MILITARY PARK, NEWARK
APPENDIX
PARR DLSIGN
5LAUTY
3Tl^-LNGTH • ^INCLKITY
UNITY OCALL-ATTR.ACTI ON
COMPOSITION
LAND
WATLR.-
FOLIAGL--
FLOR,A L
DI3PLAY ~
JCULPTUl^E- M0TIF3
LM5LLLI3HMENT^
AUCHITLCTUHL- 3LTTING,3
DUILDINGJ
LAWN3
DEIVL3
PAR.K
WALK^
R-LaUlR-L-
MLNT^
FOUNTAINS
POOL5
LAKL5
3HADL
OR.NAMENTAL
FAC1L1TIL3
OF
GARDEN-3
LNJOYMLNT
bhD3
PARTER.ilE3
UTILITY
CONVLNILNCL - COMF02J
ELCRLATION - EDUCATION
SERVIGL
ROAD3
WALK^
dLAT5
3HE.LTE.R,5
R.L3T H0U:)L5
05JLCT5 OF
lNTLeL3T-
GAML5 AND
ADMINISTRATION &LDG
3LRV1CL YAI^D3
6. 5UILDING5
GAR-DLm
Cofty right i^ii hy gcorgc I)urnap
PASSING-THROUGH PARKS
5QyARL5 ^.DOWNTOWN PARKS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
fORMAL
C0MPieLHLN5IVL
51MPLL
DElGHTcS.CHtLEFUL
UN0B5T;^UCTLD THROUGH WALKS-
ACTIVE <l.FOKCLf^UL FOUNTAINS
VLR.Y FEW OZ NO 5LAT5- NLVLR. ON
THEOUGH WALK5-
f^LGULARLY ARieANGLP TRLt^ • LlTTLt
OR NO ^HlcU55LR.Y OCCASIONAL
E,VLR.G!eLLN5-
COMMLMOteATIVt 3TATUL5
UNOt^muCTIVELY PLACLD
50LD fLOWLR- DISPLAY LMPHA5IZJNG
LINL3 O^DL3!GN•
DI5PLAY^FOCAL-P0INT R\RR5
PL5I6N EQUIPMENT
FORMAL
5neiKING
INTEN^IVL
SINGLE MOTIF
CIVIC R.LLAT10N
WALK5 CONVLNILNT bUT c3LC0NDARY
LAYI5M P0UNTAIN5 1MPRL531VL 5TATUL5
f LW 5LAT5 5. ONLY WHLN R.LLATINGT0DL5IGN
LANDXAPL GARDLNIN&A5 SITTING FO^ MOTIF
RICHNL53 IN LVLI^G&LLNS(l.fLOWLI^5
LEn-OVLR AREAS
DL5IGN
f ORMAL Ofc INFORMAL
INCONSPICUOUS
INTLl^LSTING
NLATc^OR-DLJ^LY
WALKS ONLY SUCH AS TO PRLVLNT TRLSPA5S-
SE.AT3 ALONG 3iDLWALK 11= A WAITING SP'^CL
DLCOEATIVL ARSl^NGF.MLNT OF TRELSdSHRUbS
SiMPLL rOUMTAIN ,U[^N OR- flOWL^ BLD
Copyngltf iy'6 by Qcor^£>urnfp-
NLIGtffOUEHGDD MRKS
TLNLMENT DI STRICT ^5
5IMPLL- FOT^MAL UNPR.LTEMT10U5-
5W£)3TANTIAL dLASYor MAINtE/^ANCL
EqpiPMENT
LARGE OPEN AREA5 IN GR-AVLL
AMPLE. 5HADL- SUBSTANTIAL 5EAT3
LDUCATIO/^IAL ^TATUL5 •
DRmKlNG fOUJHTAIN^-
DESIGN
RL51DLNT1AL BLOCKS
EQUttPMlENT
EL5TRAINLD •
MODLI^ATE. DISPLAY
FORMAL oi^ 5tMI-P0Elv]AL
PKOMLNaDL^ FRLQytNTv5tAT3
LAWN5- FOLIAGE COMPC^ITIOMA
^L0WLR.5■
DISPLAY fOU>iTAlJ\i5-PGDL5<lDA.5ljN5
ARCHlT£CTUeAL LMbLLUSHMLNTS
COMMLMOieATlVL JCULPTUI^E.>5
(ALLLGOEICAL V5 POCTRAITUR-Lj'
SLMI-5U5UR,BAN
DESIGN
fl^LL DUT IN GODD TA5TL-
IN FOKMALo.1 INFORMAL FORMALITY'
NATUR.ALI5TIC I?LAUTY
LNGECLING WALKS
LAMDXAPL GAR.DLN1NG
DLCORATIVL 5CULPTURL
OCCASIONAL 5LAT^
LILY P0ND5 &RGDK^
M1N1ATUR.L LAKL.*>
Cof-y s^f y^ ^y gto^y^^vrn*^.
RLCR.LAT10N PARKS
DE5IGN
NATURALISTIC A5 A WHOLL- POieTION^ fOR.MAL'
TEUL TO GENfiRAL PRINCIPLE:) OF PARK PL6IGN •
LXPEt^^lVL OP LOCALITY AND KLG^UIR-LMENTJ)
EQUIPMLNT
ieLFLCT0RlL5-
5~5HLLTLf^5-
RL5T H0U^i5
liUINIEMANCE -
PA^^lVL
GAEDLN5
3CLNLI^Y ~
LXH[r>ITI0N5 -
PERtNNIAL
R.05E.
BOTANICAL-
ZOOLOGICAL-
CONCE.R.T
COMPOStD
PANORAMIC •
HER-5ARIVM
COLLECTIONS
DENDEOL0GY<i
TREt ^URGLEY-
OKNITHOLOGICAL-
DRIVING MCILITIL!)-
ADMIN I5TR.ATION
BUILDING.
PROPAGATING
GAieDE.N5 •
5ER-V1CE BUILDINGS.
WORKMLNb HOUSES-
FACILITIES ~
ACTIVL
WAL1^5 AW &R.1DLL PATH5
GAML C0UR.T5 •
GOLI^ COUR.>3L5-
E)A5E:-MLLd- PC30T-5ALL-
CR.lCKtT. IACR05351 & POLO-
DtiiLL i- PARADE GRiDWND^ •
BATHING (?.50AT1NG
WINTtR. 5PORJ5 •
Copyrijh^ ifib b^ 6*orgt.3lrnBp
INDEX
INDEX
Amusement parks, 130, 13'-2
Architectural accessories in parks, 104
Architectural design not transferable,
202; that in parks not to be entrusted
to promiscuous designers, 194, 204
Architectural embellishment, 33, 109,
112, 122, 123; rustic, 132, 133; com-
parative examples, 205, 213; threatens
water display, 210, 220
Architectural plan, 65, 66, 80
Architectural planting design, 84
Architectural reinforcement of landscape
design, 31
Architecture, a part of landscape. 15
Architecture, design of, in parks, 192-
195; style and material, 134; immi-
grant types, 187; character, 192-194;
to reflect park environment, 194, 195;
an outgrowth of conditions, 202, 204;
harmony with street architecture, 192
Architecture in parks, 186; for service,
188, 200; for ornamentation, 205; for
official residence, 196; for workman's
residence, 196-200; historical value,
191; often structurally necessary, 12,
109
Architects, untrained in park design, 34
Ball fields, 130; equipment of, 138
Bathing facilities, beach, 140; wading
pools, 207; swimming pools, 158, 208;
paddling, 218
Botanical gardens, 130, 135, 136
Children's amusements, 130; hills for
sliding, 140; roller skating, 140; ponies,
147; sand piles, 156, 163; sailing boats,
157, 216
Children's gardens, 162. 164, 178,
179
Children at play, an attraction, 156
Children, opportunity for play, 102, 151,
153; natural ability to play, 164;
apparatus for play, 152, 158; interest
in parks for, 165. 216, 217
Children, wading pools for, 158, 207
Citizens, lack of protective interest, 42,
45; careless criticism by, 42, 44, 46;
need of exercise, 120; selfishness, 110-
112; to arouse interest of, 236
City plan, judged by its parks, 28;
unpopular in initial steps, 28, 30
City planners, untrained in park design,
34
City planning, campaign for, 32; de-
pendent upon parks, 30; parks an
argument for, 26; an aid in, 32; pre-
ceded by parks, 25 ; renaissance of, 25 ;
untrained "experts" in, 34, 36; at
expense of parks, 190, 192
City planning reports, 32. 34
Civic beautification, emphasis on parks,
32; parks, a first expression of, 58
Comfort stations, importance of, 302;
location and design, 303-308
Concert gardens, 130, 135, 136
Concerts in neighbourhood parks, 114;
in recreation parks, 136, 137
Deer preserves, 130, 134
Design. See Park Design
Drill and parade grounds, 130, 138,
141
Drinking fountains, 308, 309
Driving parks, 120, 145, 170
323
INDEX
Effigies and monuments in parks, 170;
jeopiirdise park ideals, 171-173; de-
sign of park compromised, 180; means
of eradication, 172; commendable
substitutes, 174-178; protection
against, 18-i; historical monuments,
183. See Statues
Engineers, untrained in park design, 36;
untrained in planting design, 224
Equipment of parks, 296-312
Exhibits in parks, 130, 132
Features in parks. 130
Floral bands, 278, 288-290
Floral colour, elementary, 88; brilliancy,
278; value and control, 290; combina-
tions of, 292 ; one-colour effects, 292, 294
Floral combinations, 292-294
Floral disfigurement, 279, 281
Floral display, in middle-class districts,
108; in "passing-through" parks, 86,
88-90; in tenement districts, 104
Floral reinforcement, 287-289
Flower beds, form and placement, 284-
286; meaninglessness of round beds,
26, 278-280 ; a senseless arrangement,
57; relation to park plan, 31, 286-290;
never to interruj)t line of sight, 94, 286,
291
Flowers in parks, need of design, 278,
280; profusion, 280, 282; hardy per-
ennials, 282, 283; annuals, 284; grow-
ing wild, 295
Foresters, incompetent in park design, 36
Fountains, drinking, 308, 309
Fountains for water display, 210-212;
location for, 82, 93; placement of, 218;
preferable to statues, 82, 174, 175, 178,
220; sacrificed for statues, 208
Game courts, 166-168; design and e(jui{)-
ment of, 138
Gardeners, untrained in park design, 36;
untrained in planting composition,
222
Gardens in parks, rock garden, 8; box
garden, 99; flower, 162; water garden,
112, 130; botanical, 130, 135, 136;
zoological, 130, 134, 135, 138; concert,
130, 135, 136; children's play garden,
162
Golf links, 130, 138
Greenhouses in parks, necessity for, 200;
illegitimate use of, 202; design of, 203
Gymnasiums in parks, 116, 155, 158
Hippodromes, 130, 138, 139, 170
Horticultural display houses, 130
Horticultural suppression, 230
Inspiration in parks, natural features,
128, 129; historical monuments, 104,
183; famous sculpture, 177
Labyrinths, 146
Landscape and park designers, projects
hampered, 16; initiative, 17; destruc-
tive criticism, 44, 48; comparative
competency, 36; limiting conditions,
238-241; advice to, 242, 243; coopera-
tion and harmony, 156, 248
Landscape architecture allied with other
arts, 5; comprehensive scope of, 15
Left-over areas, 96, 97, 269
Lighting of parks, 310; light standards,
310, 311
Memorials in parks, 1 75-178 ; sites for,182
National Commission of Fine Arts, 18,50
National Parks, 128, 129
Neighbourhood parks, 98; to serve and
not to segregate, 98; purpose of, 98;
combined with "passing-through"
park, 87
324
INDEX
Neighbourhood parks in finest districts,
110; general character. 110, 11'2, 114;
planting of, 110, 11-2, 114; water dis-
play in, 11''2; provision for seats in,
ll'-2; floral display in, 114
Neighbourhood parks in middle-class
districts, 106; character of design,
106-109; planting of, 108; floral dis-
play in, 108; water display in, 108;
provision for seats in, 108
Neighbourhood parks in tenement dis-
tricts, 10^2; planting of, 10^2-104;
floral display, 104; character of de-
sign, 104; ornamentation, 104; sani-
tation, 106; benches, 106
Nurseries, commercial methods of man-
agement, '24'2
Nui'series for parks, the evils of, 238;
endanger park design, 241; special-
ised type, 242; a false economy, 238,
239, 241
Nursery-firm methods in park planting,
50
Nursery importunities and criticism,
240
Nursery material, inferior stock, 240;
poorly grown, 239; native versus
exotic, 240; competitive purchase, 242
Nurserymen, untrained in park design,
36
Park acreage, 7
Park administration, 238-240; danger of
unenlightened or opinionated, 16, 17
Park administrators, unfamiliar with
design, 16; whimsical changes by, 54;
disastrous policies, 238; desire for
newspaper glory, 240, 242; arbitrary
rulings by, 239, 241
Park annoyance, 270, 272
Park beauty, 58, 61 ; presupposes utility,
296
Park-building popular, 32
Park building, 130; design of, 132, 194;
vital, 188; for residential purposes,
196-200; for park service, 200 202;
service buildings to be designed, 200-
203
Park care, 53, 55, 74, 76
Park comfort, 298-312
Park Commissioners, recommendations
to, 52, 54
Park construction, 38
Park conveniences, 308
Park depredation, 42. 44, 152
Park design, ])rinciples of, 56; sincerity
of. 62; strength of. 62, 63; unity in, 64,
65; relation and scale, 66, 69; dimen-
sions in, 66, 68, 69; harmony, 67; char-
acter. 68. 70, 71: attractiveness, 74;
orderliness, 144
Park design, value unappreciated, 16;
academic theory. 17; training in, 34;
incompetence in, 36; confusion in, 62;
deceitfulness in, 48, 74; solving. of
problems, 64; discord in. 64; en-
dangered, 238-240; the outgrowth of
conditions, 62. 71-96; governed l)y
principles, 17
Park designer, specific training of, 36;
glad to confer, 44; must be true to
ideals, 44. 48. 50. See Professional
Aid
Park detail, harmony in, 64
Park development, connnensurate with
city planning, 30; professional aid in,
13, 32, 38, 52, 54, 114, 224; relation
to politics, 38, 40, 41; public lectures
on, 44; constant supervision required,
46
Park dis])lay. temporary, 50, 74; iinine-
diato, 62
325
INDEX
Park economics, pecuniary benefit of
parks, 40; social welfare, lO'i; civic
poverty, 115; burdens of maintenance,
76, 108, '-21'2; expensive construction
often unnecessary, 6'-2; effect on home
builders, 38, 114; playgrounds an
economy, 108; nurseries, a supposed
economy, '238
Park equipment, for comfort and con-
venience, SOO-Sl^; for active recrea-
tion, 118, 138, 166; for passive recrea-
tion, 120, 124, 130, 136
Park examples, suggestive, 56
Park forerunners of city planning, 29, 30
Park influence on building development,
38, 40, 114
Park maintenance, expense of, 76, 108;
aid in, 168; mistaken economy, 238;
needless expenditure, 248; beauty
sacrificed to mistaken efficiency, 244-
251
Park ornamentation never to precede
construction, 38; superficially, 74;
irresponsible flower beds, 88
Park plan, sincerity of, 62; strength of,
62, 63; unity in, 64; decisiveness of,
114
Park plans, individual, 17; to be rigidly
adhered to, 38, 64 ; continuity of
development, 50-52, 54; publication
of, 52
Park revision, 47
Park sites, acc^uisition of, 32; develop-
ment of, 33
Park superintendents. See Superin-
tendents
Park system, 32, 122, 236
Park treatment of public })uilding
grounds, 100, 101, 190
Park units, interrelation of, 27, 36, 122;
planting of, 236
Park utihties, 296-313; to embody
beauty without sacrifice of usefulness,
58, 296, 298; utilities of supreme
importance, 310
Park violation, 43
Parks, more and better, 7-13; an aid in
city planning, 32; civic beautification.
58; importance to city plan, 25, 30;
interrelation with city plan, 36, 72, 73;
apostles, 29; recommendations of city
plan, 114; interrelation with street
plan, 31, 35, 39; interrelation with
street architecture, 59, 70, 75, 188,
190; geometrical pattern impractica-
ble, 9; practical details of, 48, 58;
l)urchase by public subscription, 41,
44. See Park Development and Park
Economics
"Passing-around" parks, 92, 94, 95
"Passing-through" parks, 78; areas
included, 78; accommodation and
convenience supreme, 78, 79; decora-
tive features, 82; planting of, 84-86;
floral display in, 86; seat accommoda-
tion, 90-92; type of design recom-
mended, 80, 83
Pictorial value of parks, 58; pictorial
beauty expected, 74; pictorial charm,
110; rule-of-thumb composition, 126
Planting appropriations, 238, 240
Planting composition, 232; light and
shade, 227, 244; accent, 235; colour,
246; character, 225, 229, 231; sacri-
ficed by pruning, 244-247, 249
Planting design of parks, 222; composi-
tion superior to specimen display, 222,
223, 229; requirements of shade, 226;
desire for display, 226, 228; screen and
eml)ellishment, 232; undergrowth
composition, 232-234; general char-
acter, 236; design endangered, 238-
240; services of landscape expert, 224
326
INDEX
Planting expression, in passing-through
parks, 84-86; in neighbourhood parks,
10^2-104, 108, m, 114
Planting for unanimity of city, 74
Planting, Potomac Park, Washington, 11
Planting, selection influenced by existing
growth, "234; restrictions on, "241, "243;
foresight in, '243
Planting, without function, 37; never to
precede design, 38; collective, "2"22,
'■228, 230; interpretive, 'i'io; auxiliary,
92; artificiality in, 228; deceitfulness
in, 48-50; "indigestion," 240; promis-
cuous and erratic, 242; lack of fore-
sight, "243; "ornamental," 226, 228;
formal planting reveals weakness of
plan, 63; along walks, 124; for screen
and seclusion, 232, 237; in shade, 232-
234; maintenance of, "241, 243; prun-
ing, 244-248
Planting vocabulary, 241
Play facilities for grown-ups, 164, 166-
168
Play gardens. 162
Playground cooperation, 156, 158
Playground design, 150, 158-162
Playground equipment, 155
Playground planting, 154, 160-162
Playground relation to parks, 152, 158;
endanger parks, 150, 168, 169; destroy
naturalistic beauty, 154; seek free
land, 152, 154; permissible in large
parks, 154; a redeeming trait, 168
Playgrounds, a specialised park, 7;
location for, 102, 103; requisites of, 154
Principles of park design, 56; the result
of experience, 56; cannot be ignored,
17, 57; aid to amateur and professional,
76; promote beauty and utility, 58;
wall not supply charm, 77. See Park
Design
Professional aid in park development,
13, 32, 38, 52, 54, "2"24; especial need
of, 114
Pruning of park foliage, evils of, 244-248
Pruning of park plantings, needlessness
of, 243; extravagance of, 248
Public buildings in park areas, 152;
threaten parks, 186; dispossess parks,
186, 188; commensurate areas to be
substituted, 190, 192
Public opinion, careless expression of,
42; "common scolds," 44; tolerance
recjuired, 50, 51
Recreation centres, 116, 136, 166
Recreation ])arks, 116-149; a demon-
stration, 116, 144, 146, 148; purpose
and scope, 117, 118, 120; value of
driveways in, 120, 145; incentive for
walking, 120, 121; distribution of fea-
tures, 122, 142; entrance, 122, 123,
125; circulation, 122, 124; transpor-
tation, 142, 143; naturaHstic scenery,
124-130, 135; artificial attractions,
130-132; apjiropriate buildings, 13"2-
134; garden units, 134-136; music
concourse, 136; parade grounds and
game fields, 138; water and ice sports,
140; general character, 144, 149
Refectories and tea houses, 130, 136;
architecture of, 132
Refreshment facilities in parks, milk
booths, "297, 300, 302; open air
restaurants, 136, 299; cafes and eating
pavilions, 300, 301
Restfulness in parks, 117, 144, 148
Roller skating, 140, 142
Rubbish baskets, 298, 310, 313
Rural and naturalistic scenery in parks,
84, 110, 119, 1"24-130, 144; architec-
ture inimical, 186, 188, 205
327
INDEX
Sculptural fountains, minimise water
display, ^209-^211
Sculpture in parks. 112, 176, 181, 185;
secondary to park design, 180; site
for, 182
Seat depreciation, by lack of seclusion,
258; by glaring light, 262; by errone-
ous facing, 270; by unpleasant pub-
licity, 270, 272
Seat design, 254-261, 263, 267, 268, 271,
274-277
Seating accommodation, ampleness
needed, 272-276
Seats in parks, importance and value of,
252, 298; slabs, benches and seats
with back, 254-258; location of, 258-
262, 270, 272; elements of design, 255,
263-265; advantage of shade, 262; of
view, 266, 267; of interest, 266; pro-
tection and seclusion, 266, 270; in
passing-through parks, 87, 90, 91; in
neighbourhood parks, 87,106, 108,112
Sheep in park landscape, 134, 136
Shelters and pavilions, 130; need of, 298;
variety, 298; architecture of, 132-
location of, 132, 134
Shrubbery in parks, 86, 104, 235, 236
Souvenirs, 308
Statues, fountains preferable to, 82, 220;
fountains sacrificed for, 208-210
Statues, in neighbourhood parks, 104,
112, 113; in passing-through parks,
92-94. See Effigies
Statue portraiture in i)arks, 174-178, 181
Street architecture interrelation of
parks, 59, 70, 75, 80, 84, 188, 190;
interrelation of park architecture, 192
Street plan, interrelation of parks with,
31, 35, 39
Superintendents, untrained in landscape
design, 36, 38; in planting design, 224;
point of view of, 243; cooperation by,
248, 250; residence for, 196
Toboggan shdes, 130, 140
Tree surgery, 132
Walk lines, practical requirements, 9;
for convenience and beauty, 41, 61;
for recreation, 124; the promenade
type, 61, 131, 136, 272, 273; memo-
rial, 178; width determined by scale,
66, 69, 97; questionable. 95; popular,
121; terminal interest, 144; relation
of seats, 270, 272
^Yater, composition and arrangement^
218; naturahstic, 212, 214, 215
Water display sacrificed for sculp ture,208
Water gardening, 8, 112, 130
Water in parks, decorative use of, 206;
value to parks, 206-208; beauty of,
210-212; consumption of, 212; supply,
214; design of, 218; medium of park
expression, 221
Water jets, 219; for passing-through
parks, 82
Water, ponds, lagoons, and lakes, 112,
210, 214-216
Water pools and basins, 108, 212, 213
Water sports, 140
Winter sports, 140
Zoological gardens, 130, 138; landscape
value of, 134, 135
^
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